Molecular Milestones and Survival Outcomes of Ponatinib Treatment in Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and Philadelphia Chromosome Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Real-World Analysis.

Abstract

Background: Ponatinib, a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated its activity against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). However, real-world data, particularly in Asian populations, remain limited.

Methods: Patients with CML or Ph+ ALL treated with ponatinib in Taiwan between March 2013 and November 2024 were retrospectively collected. Molecular and cytogenetic data, efficacy outcomes (complete hematologic response [CHR], molecular response [MR], progression-free survival [PFS], overall survival [OS]), and adverse events were analyzed.

Results: Among 52 patients (27 CML and 25 Ph+ ALL; median follow-up: 50.7 months), 94% received ponatinib due to relapsed or refractory disease. Among patients without prior CHR, 89% reached CHR at 12 months. Among patients without prior MR, 57% had MR2.0, 53% MR3.0, and 26% MR5.0 at 12 months. MR2.0 at 6 months and MR3.0 at 12 months correlated with improved outcome in patients with CML. Additional chromosomal abnormalities (ACAs) were identified in 36% of patients and were associated with inferior survival, whereas kinase domain mutations in 78% of studied patients, including T315I (57%), did not affect the outcome. MR3.0 at any time predicted superior OS and PFS in patients with CML, and MR5.0 with superior PFS in patients with Ph+ ALL. One patient (1.9%) had an arterial occlusive event.

Conclusion: Ponatinib demonstrated substantial real-world efficacy in pretreated patients with CML and Ph+ ALL, with MR3.0 in CML and MR5.0 in Ph+ ALL emerging as favorable prognostic markers. In contrast, the presence of ACAs was associated with shorter survival.