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Asciminib targets the BCR::ABL1myristoyl pocket, maintaining activity against BCR::ABL1T315I, which is resistant to most approved adenosine triphosphate–competitive tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We report updated phase I results (NCT02081378) assessing safety/tolerability and antileukemic activity of asciminib monotherapy 200 mg twice daily in 48 heavily pretreated patients with T315I-mutated chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP; data cutoff: January 6, 2021). With 2 years’ median exposure, 56.3% of patients continued receiving asciminib. Overall, 62.2% of evaluable patients achieved BCR::ABL1≤1% on the International Scale (IS); 47.6% and 81.3% of ponatinib-pretreated and -naive patients, respectively, achieved BCR::ABL1IS≤1%. Of 45 evaluable patients, 48.9% achieved a major molecular response (MMR, BCR::ABL1IS≤0.1%), including 34.6% and 68.4% of ponatinib-pretreated and -naive patients, respectively. MMR was maintained until data cutoff in 19 of 22 patients who achieved it. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) included increased lipase level (18.8%) and thrombocytopenia (14.6%). Five (10.4%) patients experienced AEs leading to discontinuation, including 2 who discontinued asciminib and died due to COVID-19; these were the only deaths reported. These results show asciminib’s effectiveness, including in almost 50% of ponatinib pretreated patients, and confirm its risk-benefit profile, supporting its use as a treatment option for T315I-mutated CML-CP.

Asciminib is approved for patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) who received ≥2 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors or have the T315I mutation. We report updated results of a phase 1, open-label, nonrandomized trial (NCT02081378) assessing the safety, tolerability, and antileukemic activity of asciminib monotherapy 10–200 mg once or twice daily in 115 patients with CML-CP without T315I (data cutoff: January 6, 2021). After ≈4-year median exposure, 69.6% of patients remained on asciminib. The most common grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) included increased pancreatic enzymes (22.6%), thrombocytopenia (13.9%), hypertension (13.0%), and neutropenia (12.2%); all-grade AEs (mostly grade 1/2) included musculoskeletal pain (59.1%), upper respiratory tract infection (41.7%), and fatigue (40.9%). Clinical pancreatitis and arterial occlusive events (AOEs) occurred in 7.0% and 8.7%, respectively. Most AEs occurred during year 1; the subsequent likelihood of new events, including AOEs, was low. By data cutoff, among patients without the indicated response at baseline, 61.3% achieved BCR::ABL1≤ 1%, 61.6% achieved ≤0.1% (major molecular response [MMR]), and 33.7% achieved ≤0.01% on the International Scale. MMR was maintained in 48/53 patients who achieved it and 19/20 who were in MMR at screening, supporting the long-term safety and efficacy of asciminib in this population.

Asciminib, the first BCR::ABL1 inhibitor that Specifically Targets the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (STAMP), is approved worldwide for the treatment of adults with Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) treated with ≥2 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In ASCEMBL, patients with CML-CP treated with ≥2 prior TKIs were randomized (stratified by baseline major cytogenetic response [MCyR]) 2:1 to asciminib 40 mg twice daily or bosutinib 500 mg once daily. Consistent with previously published primary analysis results, after a median follow-up of 2.3 years, asciminib continued to demonstrate superior efficacy and better safety and tolerability than bosutinib. The major molecular response (MMR) rate at week 96 (key secondary endpoint) was 37.6% with asciminib vs 15.8% with bosutinib; the MMR rate difference between the arms, after adjusting for baseline MCyR, was 21.7% (95% CI, 10.53–32.95; two-sided p= 0.001). Fewer grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) (56.4% vs 68.4%) and AEs leading to treatment discontinuation (7.7% vs 26.3%) occurred with asciminib than with bosutinib. A higher proportion of patients on asciminib than bosutinib remained on treatment and continued to derive benefit over time, supporting asciminib as a standard of care for patients with CML-CP previously treated with ≥2 TKIs.

Gene mutations independent of BCR::ABL1have been identified in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, whereby mutations in epigenetic modifier genes were most common. These findings prompted the systematic analysis of prevalence, dynamics, and prognostic significance of such mutations, in a clinically well-characterized patient population of 222 CML patients from the TIGER study (CML-V) by targeted next-generation sequencing covering 54 myeloid leukemia-associated genes. In total, 53/222 CML patients (24%) carried 60 mutations at diagnosis with ASXL1being most commonly affected (n= 20). To study mutation dynamics, longitudinal deep sequencing analysis of serial samples was performed in 100 patients after 12, 24, and 36 months of therapy. Typical patterns of clonal evolution included eradication, persistence, and emergence of mutated clones. Patients carrying an ASXL1mutation at diagnosis showed a less favorable molecular response to nilotinib treatment, as a major molecular response (MMR) was achieved less frequently at month 12, 18, and 24 compared to all other patients. Patients with ASXL1mutations were also younger and more frequently found in the high risk category, suggesting a central role of clonal evolution associated with ASXL1mutations in CML pathogenesis.

This analysis from the multicenter, open-label, phase 3 BFORE trial reports efficacy and safety of bosutinib in patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after five years’ follow-up. Patients were randomized to 400-mg once-daily bosutinib (n= 268) or imatinib (n= 268; three untreated). At study completion, 59.7% of bosutinib- and 58.1% of imatinib-treated patients remained on study treatment. Median duration of treatment and time on study was 55 months in both groups. Cumulative major molecular response (MMR) rate by 5 years was higher with bosutinib versus imatinib (73.9% vs. 64.6%; odds ratio, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.08–2.28]), as were cumulative MR4(58.2% vs. 48.1%; 1.50 [1.07–2.12]) and MR4.5(47.4% vs. 36.6%; 1.57 [1.11–2.22]) rates. Superior MR with bosutinib versus imatinib was consistent across Sokal risk groups, with greatest benefit seen in patients with high risk. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were consistent with 12-month data. After 5 years of follow-up there was an increase in the incidence of cardiac, effusion, renal, and vascular TEAEs in bosutinib- and imatinib-treated patients, but overall, no new safety signals were identified. These final results support 400-mg once-daily bosutinib as standard-of-care in patients with newly diagnosed CP CML.

Patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) resistant/intolerant to ≥2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are at high risk of experiencing poor outcomes because of disease biology and inadequate efficacy and/or safety of current therapies. Asciminib, a first-in-class BCR-ABL1 inhibitor Specifically Targeting the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (STAMP), has the potential to overcome resistance/intolerance to approved TKIs. In this phase 3, open-label study, patients with CML-CP previously treated with ≥2 TKIs were randomized (2:1) to receive asciminib 40 mg twice daily vs bosutinib 500 mg once daily. Randomization was stratified by major cytogenetic response (MCyR) status at baseline. The primary objective was to compare the major molecular response (MMR) rate at week 24 for asciminib vs bosutinib. A total of 233 patients were randomized to asciminib (n = 157) or bosutinib (n = 76). Median follow-up was 14.9 months. The MMR rate at week 24 was 25.5% with asciminib and 13.2% with bosutinib. The difference in MMR rate between treatment arms, after adjusting for MCyR at baseline, was 12.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.19-22.30; 2-sided P = .029). Fewer grade ≥3 adverse events (50.6% vs 60.5%) and adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation (5.8% vs 21.1%) occurred with asciminib than with bosutinib. The study showed a superior efficacy of asciminib compared with that of bosutinib, together with a favorable safety profile. These results support the use of asciminib as a new therapy in patients with CML-CP who are resistant/intolerant to ≥2 prior TKIs. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03106779.

The ENESTfreedom trial assessed the feasibility of treatment-free remission (TFR) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) following frontline nilotinib treatment. Results for long-term outcomes after a 5-year follow-up are presented herein. Patients who had received ≥2 years of frontline nilotinib therapy and achieved MR4.5underwent a 1-year nilotinib treatment consolidation phase before attempting TFR. At the 5-year data cut-off, 81/190 patients entering the TFR phase (42.6%) were still in TFR, with 76 (40.0%) in MR4.5. Patients who lost major molecular response (MMR) entered a treatment re-initiation phase; 90/91 patients entering this phase (98.9%) regained MMR and 84/91 patients (92.3%) regained MR4.5. The Kaplan–Meier estimated treatment-free survival rate at 5 years was 48.2%. No disease progression or CML-related deaths were reported. Whereas the incidence of adverse events (AEs) declined from 96 weeks following the start of TFR, an increase in AE frequency was observed for patients in the treatment re-initiation phase. Low Sokal risk score, BCR-ABL1ISlevels at 48 weeks of TFR and stable MR4.5response for the first year of TFR were associated with higher TFR rates. Overall, these results support the efficacy and safety of attempting TFR following upfront nilotinib therapy of >3 years in patients with CML-CP.

In the ENESTnd study, with ≥10 years follow-up in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, nilotinib demonstrated higher cumulative molecular response rates, lower rates of disease progression and CML-related death, and increased eligibility for treatment-free remission (TFR). Cumulative 10-year rates of MMR and MR4.5were higher with nilotinib (300 mg twice daily [BID], 77.7% and 61.0%, respectively; 400 mg BID, 79.7% and 61.2%, respectively) than with imatinib (400 mg once daily [QD], 62.5% and 39.2%, respectively). Cumulative rates of TFR eligibility at 10 years were higher with nilotinib (300 mg BID, 48.6%; 400 mg BID, 47.3%) vs imatinib (29.7%). Estimated 10-year overall survival rates in nilotinib and imatinib arms were 87.6%, 90.3%, and 88.3%, respectively. Overall frequency of adverse events was similar with nilotinib and imatinib. By 10 years, higher cumulative rates of cardiovascular events were reported with nilotinib (300 mg BID, 16.5%; 400 mg BID, 23.5%) vs imatinib (3.6%), including in Framingham low-risk patients. Overall efficacy and safety results support the use of nilotinib 300 mg BID as frontline therapy for optimal long-term outcomes, especially in patients aiming for TFR. The benefit-risk profile in context of individual treatment goals should be carefully assessed.

ATP-competitive tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have extended the life expectancy of pts with CML. However, Tx resistance remains an issue with ATP-competitive TKIs. ASC is the only approved BCR::ABL1 inhibitor that Specifically Targets the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (STAMP), differing from ATP-competitive TKIs, which bind the ATP-binding site. Preclinical studies of ASC combined with ATP-competitive TKIs showed suppression of BCR::ABL1mutants, suggesting the potential for enhanced BCR::ABL1 inhibition via combination therapy.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have extended the life expectancy for pts with CML, approximating that of the general population, and established BCR::ABL1-targeted therapies as the standard of care for CML. However, multi-TKI resistance and intolerance remain challenges that may lead to treatment (Tx) discontinuation. ASC is the first and only approved BCR::ABL1 inhibitor that Specifically Targets the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (STAMP) with higher selectivity for ABL, reducing off-target effects seen with TKIs. A follow-up analysis (median exposure: 4.2 y) of the phase 1 ASC study in pts with CML-CP without T315I after receiving ≥2 TKIs demonstrated durable efficacy and favorable tolerability, with nearly one-third of pts achieving deep molecular response by cutoff (Jan 6, 2021). Here we present final end-of-study (EOS) efficacy and safety results from the phase 1 ASC study in pts with CML-CP without the T315I mutation (cutoff: Mar 14, 2023).

Background:The TIGER-trial (NCT01657604) is a multicenter, randomized phase III study to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of nilotinib (NIL) vs NIL+pegylated interferon alpha2b (IFN) combination therapy with IFN maintenance as first-line treatment for patients (pts) with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase.

CML requires chronic therapy, emphasizing the need for Txs that are characterized by high, durable efficacy and a low adverse event (AE) burden. ASC, the first BCR::ABL1 inhibitor Specifically Targeting the ABL Myristoyl Pocket (STAMP), demonstrated significantly superior efficacy and better safety/tolerability compared with BOS in pts with CML-CP who received ≥2 prior TKIs in the phase 3 ASCEMBL study. Major molecular response (MMR) rate was 25.5% with ASC vs 13.2% with BOS at wk 24, meeting the primary objective, and 37.6% vs 15.8% at wk 96, meeting the key secondary objective. Despite the longer duration of exposure to ASC, safety/tolerability remained consistently better with ASC vs BOS, with fewer all-grade and grade ≥3 AEs and AEs leading to Tx discontinuation observed.

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia is caused by a chromosomal translocation that results in an oncogenic fusion protein, Bcr-Abl. Bcr-Abl is a tyrosine kinase whose activity is inhibited by the antineoplastic drug STI571. This drug can cure mice given an injection of human leukemic cells, but treatment ultimately fails in animals that have large tumors when treatment is initiated. We created a mouse model to explore the mechanism of resistance in vivo. Methods: Nude mice were injected with KU812 Bcr-[Abl.sup.+] human leukemic cells. After 1 day (no evident tumors), 8 days, or 15 days (tumors [is greater than] 1 g), mice were treated with STI571 (160 mg/kg every 8 hours). Cells recovered from relapsing animals were used for in vitro experiments. Statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Tumors regressed initially in all STI571-treated mice, but all mice treated 15 days after injection of tumor cells eventually relapsed. Relapsed animals did not respond to further STI571 treatment, and their Bcr-Abl kinase activity in vivo was not inhibited by STI571, despite high plasma concentrations of the drug. However, tumor cells from resistant animals were sensitive to STI571 in vitro, suggesting that a molecule in the plasma of relapsed animals may inactivate the drug. The plasma protein [Alpha]1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) bound STI571 at physiologic concentrations in vitro and blocked the ability of STI571 to inhibit Bcr-Abl kinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Plasma AGP concentrations were strongly associated with tumor load. Erythromycin competed with STI571 for AGP binding. When animals bearing large tumors were treated with STI571 alone or with a combination of STI571 and erythromycin, greater tumor reductions and better long-term tumor-free survival (10 of 12 versus one of 13 at day 180; P [is less than] .001) were observed after the combination treatment. Conclusion: AGP in the plasma of relapsed animals binds to STI571, preventing this compound from inhibiting the Bcr/Abl tyrosine kinase. Molecules such as erythromycin that compete with STI571 for binding to AGP may enhance the therapeutic potential of this drug. [J Natl Cancer Inst 2000;92:1641-50]

This is a pivotal, multicenter, open-label study of moxetumomab pasudotox, a recombinant CD22-targeting immunotoxin, in hairy cell leukemia (HCL), a rare B cell malignancy with high CD22 expression. The study enrolled patients with relapsed/refractory HCL who had ≥2 prior systemic therapies, including ≥1 purine nucleoside analog. Patients received moxetumomab pasudotox 40 µg/kg intravenously on days 1, 3, and 5 every 28 days for ≤6 cycles. Blinded independent central review determined disease response and minimal residual disease (MRD) status. Among 80 patients (79% males; median age, 60.0 years), durable complete response (CR) rate was 30%, CR rate was 41%, and objective response rate (CR and partial response) was 75%; 64 patients (80%) achieved hematologic remission. Among complete responders, 27 (85%) achieved MRD negativity by immunohistochemistry. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) were peripheral edema (39%), nausea (35%), fatigue (34%), and headache (33%). Treatment-related serious AEs of hemolytic uremic syndrome (7.5%) and capillary leak syndrome (5%) were reversible and generally manageable with supportive care and treatment discontinuation (6 patients; 7.5%). Moxetumomab pasudotox treatment achieved a high rate of independently assessed durable response and MRD eradication in heavily pretreated patients with HCL, with acceptable tolerability.

Ponatinib has potent activity against native and mutant BCR-ABL1, including BCR-ABL1T315I. The pivotal phase 2 Ponatinib Ph+ ALL and CML Evaluation (PACE) trial evaluated efficacy and safety of ponatinib at a starting dose of 45 mg once daily in 449 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) resistant/intolerant to dasatinib or nilotinib, or with BCR-ABL1T315I. This analysis focuses on chronic-phase CML (CP-CML) patients (n = 270) with 56.8-month median follow-up. Among 267 evaluable patients, 60%, 40%, and 24% achieved major cytogenetic response (MCyR), major molecular response (MMR), and 4.5-log molecular response, respectively. The probability of maintaining MCyR for 5 years was 82% among responders. Dose reductions were implemented in October 2013 to decrease the risk of arterial occlusive events (AOEs); ≥90% of CP-CML patients who had achieved MCyR or MMR maintained response 40 months after elective dose reductions. Estimated 5-year overall survival was 73%. In CP-CML patients, the most common treatment-emergent adverse events were rash (47%), abdominal pain (46%), thrombocytopenia (46%), headache (43%), dry skin (42%), and constipation (41%). The cumulative incidence of AOEs in CP-CML patients increased over time to 31%, while the exposure-adjusted incidence of new AOEs (15.8 and 4.9 per 100 patient-years in years 1 and 5, respectively) did not increase over time. These final PACE results demonstrate ponatinib provides durable and clinically meaningful responses, irrespective of dose reductions, in this population of heavily pretreated CP-CML patients. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01207440.

Optimal management of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase with suboptimal cytogenetic response remains undetermined. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of switching to nilotinib vs imatinib dose escalation for patients with suboptimal cytogenetic response on imatinib.

Vascular safety is an emerging issue in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Whereas imatinib exhibits a well-documented and favorable long-term safety profile without obvious accumulation of vascular events, several types of vascular adverse events (VAEs) have been described in patients receiving second- or third-generation BCR/ABL1 TKIs. Such VAEs include pulmonary hypertension in patients treated with dasatinib, peripheral arterial occlusive disease and other arterial disorders in patients receiving nilotinib, and venous and arterial vascular occlusive events during ponatinib. Although each TKI interacts with a unique profile of molecular targets and has been associated with a unique pattern of adverse events, the mechanisms of drug-induced vasculopathy are not well understood. Here, recent data and concepts around VAEs in TKI-treated patients with CML are discussed, with special reference to potential mechanisms, event management, and strategies aimed at avoiding occurrence of such events in long-term treated patients.

We present long-term follow-up of a dasatinib phase 3 study of patients with imatinib-resistant/-intolerant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In the CA180-034 study, 670 patients with imatinib-resistant/-intolerant CML in chronic phase (CML-CP) received dasatinib 100 mg once daily, 50 mg twice daily, 140 mg once daily, or 70 mg twice daily. At 6 years, 188 (28%) of 670 patients remained on study treatment. Estimated 6-year protocol-defined progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 49%, 51%, 40%, and 47%, respectively, and estimated 6-year overall survival (OS) rates were 71%, 74%, 77%, and 70%, respectively (intent-to-treat population, including protocol-defined progression or death after discontinuation). Estimated 6-year rates of survival without transformation on study treatment were 76%, 80%, 83%, and 74%, respectively. Major molecular response was achieved in 43% (100 mg once daily) and 40% (all other arms) of patients by 6 years. Molecular and cytogenetic responses at 3 and 6 months were highly predictive of PFS and OS. Notably, estimated 6-year PFS rates based on ≤1%, >1% to 10%, and >10% BCR-ABL transcripts at 3 months were 68%, 58%, and 26%, respectively. Most adverse events occurred by 2 years. Imatinib-resistant/-intolerant patients with CML-CP can experience long-term benefit with dasatinib therapy, particularly if achieving BCR-ABL ≤10% at 3 months. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00123474.

Background: The leukemia cells of approximately 95% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and 30%-50% of adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia express the Bcr/ Abl oncoprotein, which is the product of a fusion gene created by a chromosomal translocation [(9:22) (q34;q11)]. This oncoprotein expresses a constitutive tyrosine kinase activity that is crucial for its cellular transforming activity. In this study, we evaluated the antineoplastic activity of CGP57148B, which is a competitive inhibitor of the Bcr/Abl tyrosine kinase. Methods: Nude mice were given an injection of the Bcr/Abl-positive human leukemia cell lines KU812 or MC3. Tumor-bearing mice were treated intraperitoneally or orally with CGP57148B according to three different schedules. In vitro drug wash-out experiments and in vivo molecular pharmacokinetic experiments were performed to optimize the in vivo treatment schedule. Results: Treatment schedules administering CGP57148B once or twice per day produced some inhibition of tumor growth, but no tumor-bearing mouse was cured. A single administration of CGP57148B caused substantial ([is greater than] 50%) but short-lived (2-5 hours) inhibition of Bcr/Abl kinase activity. On the basis of the results from in vitro wash-out experiments, 20-21 hours was defined as the duration of continuous exposure needed to block cell proliferation and to induce apoptosis in these two leukemia cell lines. A treatment regimen assuring the continuous block of the Bcr/ Abl phosphorylating activity that was administered over an 11-day period cured 87%-100% of treated mice. Conclusion: These data indicate that the continuous block of the oncogenic tyrosine kinase of Bcr/Abl protein is needed to produce important biologic effects in vivo. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1999;91: 163-8]

García Gutiérrez: Novartis Pharma AG: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Radich:Jazz: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding. Hochhaus:MSD: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria. Saglio:Roche: Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding. Conneally:Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria. le Coutre:Incyte: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Gattermann:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Saussele:Pfizer: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Giles:Actuate Therapeutics Inc: Consultancy; Pfizer: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Aimone:Novartis: Current Employment. Li:Novartis: Current Employment. Titorenko:Novartis: Current Employment. Ross:Celgene: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Participated in advisory board meetings, Research Funding.

Brümmendorf: Takeda: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: travel, accommodation, expenses, Research Funding. Cortes:Astellas: Research Funding; Arog: Research Funding; Merus: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; BioPath Holdings: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amphivena Therapeutics: Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Telios: Research Funding; BiolineRx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sun Pharma: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. Milojkovic:Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria. Gambacorti-Passerini:Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Clark:Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ariad/Incyte: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. le Coutre:Incyte: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Garcia-Gutiérrez:Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding. Chuah:Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Other: Travel, Research Funding; Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Honoraria. Kota:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical, Company Ltd, Cambridge, MA, USA: Honoraria; Ariad: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Xcenda: Honoraria. Lipton:BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Rousselot:Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Mauro:Sun Pharma/SPARC: Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding. Hochhaus:MSD: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding. Hurtado Monroy:Incyte: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy. Leip:Pfizer: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Purcell:Pfizer: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Yver:Pfizer: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Viqueira:Pfizer: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Deininger:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Ariad: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other; SPARC: Research Funding; DisperSol: Consultancy; Pfizer: Honoraria, Other, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding; Fusion Pharma: Consultancy; Blueprint Medicines Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: part of a study management committee, Research Funding; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other, Research Funding; Medscape: Consultancy; Sangamo: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Galena: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other.

Introduction: Omacetaxine mepesuccinate, formerly known as homoharringtonine, is a first-in-class cephalotaxine that has experienced phases of increasing and waning interest since its first use in traditional Chinese medicine. With activity being reported in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) resistant to currently available tyrosine kinase inhibitors, renewed interest has recently been generated.Areas covered: The development of omacetaxine mepesuccinate, with emphasis on synthesis and mode of administration, is addressed. An overview on current clinical results as a single agent or within combination regimens in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and CML is given.Expert opinion: Omacetaxine mepesuccinate has a unique mode of action and appreciable activity in AML and CML with generally mild nonhematologic toxicity. In patients with AML, results indicate a role within combination regimens in selected, possibly elderly patient populations. In CML, patients with resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, especially due to the T315I mutation, are the most intensively studied. Despite successful results in some patients, single-agent therapy with omacetaxine mepesuccinate has resulted in modest results. However, upfront combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitor represents an attractive option due their differing mechanisms of action.

Nilotinib has significant efficacy in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) and in patients with CML-CP or CML in accelerated phase (CML-AP) after imatinib failure. We investigated the occurrence of cross-intolerance to nilotinib in imatinib-intolerant patients with CML. Only 1/75 (1%) patients with nonhematologic imatinib intolerance experienced a similar grade 3/4 adverse event (AE), and 3/75 (4%) experienced a similar persistent grade 2 nonhematologic AE on nilotinib. Only 7/40 (18%) patients with hematologic imatinib intolerance discontinued nilotinib, all because of grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia. Ninety percent of imatinib-intolerant patients with CML-CP who did not have complete hematologic response (CHR) at baseline (n = 52) achieved CHR on nilotinib. Nilotinib induced a major cytogenetic response in 66% and 41% of patients with imatinib-intolerant CML-CP and CML-AP (complete cytogenetic response in 51% and 30%), respectively. Minimal cross-intolerance was confirmed in patients with imatinib-intolerant CML. The favorable tolerability of nilotinib in patients with imatinib intolerance leads to alleviation of AE-related symptoms and significant and durable responses. In addition to its established clinical benefit in patients with newly diagnosed CML and those resistant to imatinib, nilotinib is effective and well-tolerated for long-term use in patients with imatinib intolerance.

Nilotinib is a potent selective inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase approved for use in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP), and in CML-CP and CML-accelerated phase after imatinib failure. Nilotinib (400 mg twice daily) was approved on the basis of the initial results of this phase 2 open-label study. The primary study endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving major cytogenetic response (CyR). All patients were followed for ≥ 24 months or discontinued early. Of 321 patients, 124 (39%) continue on nilotinib treatment. Overall, 59% of patients achieved major CyR; this was complete CyR (CCyR) in 44%. Of patients achieving CCyR, 56% achieved major molecular response. CyRs were durable, with 84% of patients who achieved CCyR maintaining response at 24 months. The overall survival at 24 months was 87%. Adverse events were mostly mild to moderate, generally transient, and easily managed. This study indicates that nilotinib is effective, with a manageable safety profile, and can provide favorable long-term benefits for patients with CML-CP after imatinib failure. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00109707.

Patients with imatinib-resistant or -intolerant accelerated-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML-AP) have very limited therapeutic options. Nilotinib is a highly selective BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This phase 2 trial was designed to characterize the efficacy and safety of nilotinib (400 mg twice daily) in this patient population with hematologic response (HR) as primary efficacy endpoint. A total of 119 patients were enrolled and had a median duration of treatment of 202 days (range, 2–611 days). An HR was observed in 56 patients (47%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 38%-56%). Major cytogenetic response (MCyR) was observed in 35 patients (29%; 95% CI, 21%-39%). The median duration of HR has not been reached. Overall survival rate among the 119 patients after 12 months of follow-up was 79% (95% CI, 70%-87%). Nonhematologic adverse events were mostly mild to moderate. Severe peripheral edema and pleural effusions were not observed. The most common grade 3 or higher hematologic adverse events were thrombocytopenia (35%) and neutropenia (21%). Grade 3 or higher bilirubin and lipase elevations occurred in 9% and 18% of patients, respectively, resulting in treatment discontinuation in one patient. In conclusion, nilotinib is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in imatinib-resistant and -intolerant CML-AP. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00384228.

Nilotinib, an orally bioavailable, selective Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is 30-fold more potent than imatinib in pre-clinical models, and overcomes most imatinib resistant BCR-ABL mutations. In this phase 2 open-label study, 400 mg nilotinib was administered orally twice daily to 280 patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) after imatinib failure or intolerance. Patients had at least 6 months of follow-up and were evaluated for hematologic and cytogenetic responses, as well as for safety and overall survival. At 6 months, the rate of major cytogenetic response (Ph ≤ 35%) was 48%: complete (Ph = 0%) in 31%, and partial (Ph = 1%-35%) in 16%. The estimated survival at 12 months was 95%. Nilotinib was effective in patients harboring BCR-ABL mutations associated with imatinib resistance (except T315I), and also in patients with a resistance mechanism independent of BCR-ABL mutations. Adverse events were mostly mild to moderate, and there was minimal cross-intolerance with imatinib. Grades 3 to 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 29% of patients; pleural or pericardial effusions were observed in 1% (none were severe). In summary, nilotinib is highly active and safe in patients with CML-CP after imatinib failure or intolerance. This clinical trial is registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov as ID no. NCT00109707.

Abstract: Myofibrosarcoma is a rare neoplasm that occurs mainly in the head and neck region and extremities of middle-aged patients. It often appears as a low-grade sarcoma and rarely metastasizes. We report the case of a 47-year-old male patient with a malignant mesenchymal pulmonary tumor affecting almost the entire lower left lobe. Clinically suggestive for a lung carcinoma, the tumor showed typical features of a myofibrosarcoma. A major spindle cell component was observed being positive for smooth-muscle actin, calponin, and vimentin, while stainings for desmin, h-caldesmon, alkaline phosphatase (ALK), and extensively studied cytokeratins were negative. Striking was a strong infiltrate with neutrophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes. DNA cytometry revealed aneuploidy with a peak in the near triploid range. Comparative genomic hybridization demonstrated multiple DNA gains and losses correlating with an aggressive clinical course. Shortly after resection of the primary tumor, the patient showed multiple distant metastases in the contralateral lung, the mediastinal lymph nodes, the left adrenal gland, and the pectoral and deltoid muscle, which responded well to chemotherapy. The case report will discuss the evidence for the final diagnosis of a primary pulmonary myofibrosarcoma and the differential diagnosis of sarcomatoid tumors of the lung.

The 2-phenylaminopyrimidine derivative STI571 has been shown to selectively inhibit the tyrosine kinase domain of the oncogenicbcr/ablfusion protein. The activity of this inhibitor has been demonstrated so far both in vitro with bcr/ablexpressing cells derived from leukemic patients, and in vivo on nude mice inoculated with bcr/ablpositive cells. Yet, no information is available on whether leukemic cells can develop resistance to bcr/ablinhibition. The human bcr/ablexpressing cell line LAMA84 was cultured with increasing concentrations of STI571. After approximately 6 months of culture, a new cell line was obtained and named LAMA84R. This newly selected cell line showed an IC50 for the STI571 (1.0 μM) 10-fold higher than the IC50 (0.1 μM) of the parental sensitive cell line. Treatment with STI571 was shown to increase both the early and late apoptotic fraction in LAMA84 but not in LAMA84R. The induction of apoptosis in LAMA84 was associated with the activation of caspase 3–like activity, which did not develop in the resistant LAMA84R cell line. LAMA84R cells showed increased levels of bcr/abl protein and mRNA when compared to LAMA84 cells. FISH analysis with BCR- and ABL-specific probes in LAMA84R cells revealed the presence of a marker chromosome containing approximately 13 to 14 copies of the BCR/ABLgene. Thus, overexpression of the Bcr/Abl protein mediated through gene amplification is associated with and probably determines resistance of human leukemic cells to STI571 in vitro.

Gaucher's disease (GD) is caused by an inherited deficiency of acid β‐glucosidase with storage of glucosylceramides in the lysosomes of macrophages. This study identifies a G202R mutation in the acid β‐glucosidase gene in an infant with severe neuronopathic (type 2) GD and only slightly reduced acid β‐glucosidase activity. Western blot analysis, pulse chase experiments, and the thin frozen section immunogold method were used to analyse the implications of this mutation on the pathogenesis, clinical heterogeneity and diagnostic evaluation of GD. The results show that acid β‐glucosidase persists in the patient's fibroblasts as a mannose‐rich polypeptide in the endoplasmic reticulum and is not transported to the lysosomes. By contrast, high expression of the lysosome‐associated membrane proteins LAMP‐1 and LAMP‐2, saposin C, and cathepsin D was observed in the patient's lysosomes. Immunogold labelling of the integral membrane proteins LAMP‐1 and LAMP‐2 increases significantly at the cell surface of Kupffer cells and fibroblasts as well as at the apical membrane of hepatocytes. In addition, LAMP‐1 and LAMP‐2 associate with the bilayer of stored glucosylceramide. It is concluded that defective intracellular transport of mutant acid β‐glucosidase from the endoplasmic reticulum to lysosomes leads to a more severe clinical phenotype than the residual enzyme activity may indicate. Furthermore, the detection of LAMP in the tubular bundles of undigested glucosylceramides, as well as their increased concentration at the surfaces of the affected cells, suggests that these proteins play a role in the storage or removal of substrate in GD. Intracellular targeting of acid β‐glucosidase and LAMP contributes to the broad phenotypic heterogeneity of GD. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ABSTRACT: The BCR/ABL fusion protein transforms myeloid stem cells. Both chronic myelogenous leukemias (CML) and a subset of acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) are associated with the expression of BCR/ABL proteins. This knowledge has not yet been translated into any specific tool to control ABL driven neoplastic cells growth. CGP57148B is an ATP-competitive inhibitor of the ABL protein kinase; it has been shown to inhibit the kinase activity of ABL bothin vitroandin vivoand to inhibit the growth of v-abl and bcr/abl transfectants, as well as thein vitroformation of bone marrow (BM)-derived colonies in the presence of growth factors in some CML patients. These studies were performed to investigate the activity of CGP57148B on the spontaneous proliferation of both fresh and cultured, leukemic and normal, BCR/ABL positive and negative cells, and to study its mechanism of action. Six cell lines derived from BCR/ABL+ leukemias (K562, BV173, KCL22, KU812, MC3, LAMA84), thirteen BCR/ABL negative lines, both neoplastic (KG1, SU-DHL-1, U937, Daudi, NB4, NB4.306) and derived from normal cells (PHA blasts, LAK, fibroblasts, LCL, renal epithelial cells, endothelial cells, CD34+cells), and 14 fresh leukemic samples were tested using a tritiated thymidine uptake assay. Thein vivophosphorylation of the BCR/ABL protein was evaluated by western blot, while apoptosis was detected by the annexin V/propidium binding test. The induction of differentiation was assayed by immunofluorescence using multiple antibodies.

Hochhaus: Novartis: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Boquimpani:Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Rea:BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Incyte: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Minami:Pfizer Japan Inc.: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Honoraria; Novartis Pharma KK: Honoraria. Lomaia:Bristol Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Voloshin:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Turkina:Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis Pharma: Honoraria; BMS: Honoraria. Kim:Pfizer: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; ILYANG: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Sun Pharma.: Research Funding. Apperley:Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Cortes:Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; BioPath Holdings: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Telios: Research Funding; Astellas: Research Funding; Amphivena Therapeutics: Research Funding; Arog: Research Funding; BiolineRx: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Merus: Research Funding; Sun Pharma: Research Funding. Abdo:Novartis: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Kim:Paladin: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding. le Coutre:Pfizer: Honoraria; Incyte: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria. Saussele:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria. Hughes:BMS: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Chee:Novartis: Other: Travel support for attendance at investigator meeting. García Gutiérrez:Novartis Pharma AG: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel/accommodations/expenses, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Other: travel/accommodations/expenses, Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: travel/accommodations/expenses, Research Funding. Sasaki:Pfizer Japan: Consultancy; Otsuka: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy. Aimone:Novartis: Current Employment. Allepuz:Novartis: Current Employment. Quenet:Novartis: Current Employment. Bédoucha:Novartis: Current Employment. Mauro:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel, Accommodation, Expenses, Research Funding; Sun Pharma/SPARC: Research Funding.

Kreitman: Genentech: Research Funding. Dearden:Abbvie: Honoraria; Genentech: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria. Zinzani:MSD: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; VERASTEM: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; CELLTRION: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; GILEAD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; JANSSEN-CILAG: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; IMMUNE DESIGN: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; EUSAPHARMA: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; ROCHE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; SERVIER: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; SANDOZ: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; KYOWA KIRIN: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; CELGENE: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; SANOFI: Consultancy; PORTOLA: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Robak:Amgen: Consultancy, Other: Travel grant; UCB: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel grant, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Other: Travel grant, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel grant, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding; BeiGene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Morphosys AG: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding. le Coutre:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Gjertsen:Research Council of Norway: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BerGenBio: Consultancy; KinN Therapeutics AS: Equity Ownership; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; ERA PerMed: Research Funding; Haukeland University Hospital / University of Bergen: Employment; ACTII AS: Equity Ownership; Astellas: Consultancy; BerGenBio AS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; The Norwegian Cancer Society: Research Funding; Helse Vest Health Trust: Research Funding; EU Horizon 2020: Research Funding. Troussard:Innate Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Gilead: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Other: Research Support; Sysmex: Other: Research Support. Roboz:Argenx: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Actinium: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amphivena: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astex: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celltrion: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Eisai: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Jazz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MEI Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Orsenix: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Otsuka: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sandoz: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Trovagene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Karlin:Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Support; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AMGEN: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel Support. Kuptsova-Clarkson:AstraZeneca: Employment, Equity Ownership. Liu:Acerta Pharma: Employment. Patel:Acerta Pharma: Employment, Equity Ownership; AstraZeneca: Equity Ownership.

Hochhaus: Pfizer: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding. Burchert:Novartis: Research Funding. Saussele:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Incyte: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria. Baerlocher:Novartis: Research Funding. Brümmendorf:Janssen: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy; University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen: Employment; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding. La Rosée:Novartis: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers-Squibb: Consultancy, Other: Travel support, Speakers Bureau. Heim:Novartis: Research Funding. Krause:Siemens: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; MSD: Honoraria; Gilead: Other: travel; Celgene Corporation: Other: Travel. le Coutre:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Niederwieser:Daichii: Speakers Bureau; Cellectis: Consultancy. Lange:Novartis: Research Funding. Fabarius:Novartis: Research Funding. Hänel:Novartis: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Other: advisory board; Celgene: Other: advisory board; Roche: Honoraria. Stegelmann:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria. Mayer:AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG: Research Funding. Hasford:Novartis: Research Funding. Hehlmann:Novartis: Research Funding. Ernst:Novartis: Research Funding.Combination of Nilotinib and PEG-IFN alpha is being tested is off-label and being tested in the TIGER study.

Breccia: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Incyte, Novartis, Pfizer: Honoraria. Cortes:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sun Pharma: Research Funding; Immunogen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Merus: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biopath Holdings: Consultancy, Honoraria; BiolineRx: Consultancy. Shah:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Saglio:Celgene: Consultancy; Jansen: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Ariad: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy. Le Coutre:Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Brun:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment. DeGutis:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Other: Stock options. Sy:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Employment, Equity Ownership. Jabbour:AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Adaptive: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Cyclacel LTD: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Hughes: Novartis: Other: Advisory Board and Symposia, Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding. Saglio:Ariad: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; Jansen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy. Larson:Agios: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Contracts for clinical trials. Kantarjian:Daiichi-Sankyo: Research Funding; Actinium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Research Funding; Jazz Pharma: Research Funding; Immunogen: Research Funding; Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; AbbVie: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ariad: Research Funding; Astex: Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Cyclacel: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Kim:Novartis: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Il-Yang co.: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding. Le Coutre:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Etienne:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte Biosciences: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Boquimpani:Novartis: Speakers Bureau; BMS: Speakers Bureau. Clark:Ariad/Incyte: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Flinn:F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics, Trillum Therapeutics, Abbvie, ArQule, BeiGene, Curis, FORMA Therapeutics, Forty Seven, Merck, Pfizer, Takeda, Teva, Verastem, Gilead Sciences, Astra Zeneca (AZ), Juno Therapeutics, UnumTherapeutics, MorphoSys, AG: Research Funding; Acerta Pharma, Agios, Calithera Biosciences, Celgene, Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Incyte, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Janssen, Karyopharm Therapeutics, Kite Pharma, Novartis, Pharmacyclics, Portola Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; AbbVie, Seattle Genetics, TG Therapeutics, Verastem: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics, Trillum Therapeutics, Abbvie, ArQule, BeiGene, Curis, FORMA Therapeutics, Forty Seven, Merck, Pfizer, Takeda, Teva, Verastem, Gilead Sciences, Astra Zeneca (AZ), Juno Therapeutics, UnumTherapeutics, MorphoSys, AG: Research Funding. Sondhi:Novartis: Employment, Other: Stock; Sanofi: Other: Stock. Titorenko:Novartis: Employment. Nourry-Boulot:Novartis: Employment. Aimone:Novartis: Employment. Hochhaus:Incyte: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding.This pivotal study of nilotinib for frontline therapy of CML-CP was designed to investigate 2 nilotinib doses. One of the 2 doses is now the approved frontline dose. To accurately report the study results, data for both doses will be presented.

Gjertsen: Haukeland University Hospital / University of Bergen: Employment; ERA PerMed: Research Funding; BerGenBio: Consultancy; Astellas: Consultancy; BerGenBio AS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; KinN Therapeutics AS: Equity Ownership; Pfizer: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; ACTII AS: Equity Ownership; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Research Council of Norway: Research Funding; EU Horizon 2020: Research Funding; The Norwegian Cancer Society: Research Funding; Helse Vest Health Trust: Research Funding. Hochhaus:Pfizer: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Rosti:BMS: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Watts:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ortí:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Other: Travel Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Other: Travel Expenses, Speakers Bureau. le Coutre:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Leip:Pfizer: Employment, Equity Ownership. Viqueira:Pfizer Inc: Employment, Equity Ownership. Cortes:Biopath Holdings: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sun Pharma: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Immunogen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merus: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BiolineRx: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding; Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Giles:Novartis: Consultancy; Epigene Therapeutics Inc: Consultancy, Other: leadership, stock/other ownership ; Actuate Therapeutics Inc: Employment. Gambacorti-Passerini:Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Meyers Squibb: Consultancy.