Leukaemia (chronic myeloid) - imatinib

NICE has made the following recommendations about the use of imatinib to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia. NICE has recommended that imatinib should be the first treatment considered for an adult with the Philadelphia-chromosome type of CML in the chronic phase. It should also be an option for an a ...

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NICE has made the following recommendations about the use of imatinib to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia.

NICE has recommended that imatinib should be the first treatment considered for an adult with the Philadelphia-chromosome type of CML in the chronic phase.

It should also be an option for an adult who is diagnosed with the Philadelphia-chromosome type of CML in the accelerated or blast crisis phase. Imatinib should also be an option for an adult who:

• was diagnosed with the Philadelphia-chromosome type of CML when he or she was in the chronic phase, and
• has since gone on to the accelerated or blast crisis phase, but
• has not previously had imatinib.

If a person has been taking imatinib for CML while in the chronic phase, but still goes on to the accelerated or blast crisis phase, NICE has recommended that imatinib treatment is continued only as part of a research study. This means that information should be collected on the treatment and the effect on the patient’s CML. This information can then be looked at when NICE reviews its guidance in 2006.

If a person in the chronic phase of CML is already taking interferon-alpha, the choice about whether to change to imatinib depends to some extent on how well the interferon-alpha is working and how well the person is feeling. The decision about changing treatment should be made by the doctor and patient after a discussion about the person’s circumstances, the options and the possible side effects and problems with imatinib.

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