Treatment-free remission is the goal in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), with around 40-60% of patients with a stable deep molecular response (DMR) successfully stopping tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. BCR-ABL mRNA quantification is used to determine molecular response and recommendations specify that less than 0.01% BCR-ABL (IS) can be defined as DMR. However, 1-2% patients have atypical transcripts which cannot be expressed on this scale, often preventing attempts to stop treatment. Francois-Xavier Mahon, MD, PhD, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, shares an overview of a retrospective study assessing treatment-free remission in these patients. In a total of 16 patients with BCR-ABL fusions, the 5-year treatment-free survival rate was 65.2%. Prof. Mahon comments of the feasibility of treatment cessation in these patients, with benefits likely resembling those seen in patients with major-type transcripts, emphasizing the importance of proper assessment of DMR is a specialist lab. This interview took place at the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition congress in Atlanta, GA.
