Data Support Using Bosutinib Therapy for Treatment of Chronic-Phase CML

In an interview with Oncology Learning Network, Sonia Amin Thomas, PharmD, BCOP, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Pharmacy-Georgia Campus, Suwanee, provided a brief overview of 3 abstracts in the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) space that were presented at the 2020 ASCO Virtual Scientific Program.

Notably, Dr Thomas is also a Clinical Oncology Specialist Pharmacist at Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital in Roswell.

What is the current standard of care for patients with CML?

There are multiple options. First, is targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib as first-line options; second, is immunotherapy; and lastly is chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant.

The BYOND Study: Bosutinib for Chronic-Phase CML

This study by Saussele et al confirms bosutinib for chronic-phase, Philadelphia-positive patients with CML if they have failed or are intolerant to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (J Clin Oncol. 2020;38, suppl: abstr 7551).

These findings confirm the safety and efficacy of bosutinib, and make it a viable and safe additional option for patients with chronic-phase CML.

Long-Term Bosutinib for Chronic-Phase CML

This phase 1/2 study by Brümmendorf et al demonstrated the safety and efficacy of bosutinib after 8 years in patients with chronic-phase CML (J Clin Oncol. 2020;38 suppl: abstr 7549).

This helps us know that patients can be treated safely long-term in CML with bosutinib, thus offering another long-term option in this setting.

Inotuzumab Ozogamicin + Bosutinib for CML

This study by Jain et al showed that inotuzumab and bosutinib administered together yielded a promising result in patients with relapsed or refractory Ph-positive CML (J Clin Oncol. 2020;38 suppl: abstr 7512).

This type of CML has poor outcomes, and this give us another option to prolong survival in these patients.

What are some immediate action-items that oncologists and other oncology healthcare professionals can employ to better meet the needs of patients with CML?

Staying up to date with the guidelines and new approvals as there are new agents and clinical trials emerging in CML frequently.