Key clinical point: Imatinib discontinuation was feasible without affecting clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) treated with frontline imatinib with a sustained deep molecular response (DMR) for at least 2 years with imatinib.
Major finding: The molecular-free remission rate at 6, 12, and 36 months was 61%, 56%, and 56%, respectively. Of the 7 children who had a molecular relapse, 6 regained molecular response (MR) 4 and 1 patient achieved major MR after restarting imatinib. No deaths or disease progression were reported.
Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis of 18 children with CML-CP from the International Registry of Childhood CML who were treated with frontline imatinib and had sustained MR4 for at least 2 years before imatinib discontinuation to attempt treatment-free remission.
Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflict of interests.
Source: Millot F et al. Cancers. 2021 Aug 15. doi: 10.3390/cancers13164102 .