Analysis of cardiovascular and arteriothrombotic adverse events in chronic-phase CML patients after frontline TKIs

Abstract

AbstractJain et al take on a major issue in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). While these patients now have many options for targeted therapy, many are expensive, and they prominently include cardiovascular and arteriothrombotic adverse events. The authors systematically analyzed 531 CML patients treated with multiple TKIs in different trials. These included imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib, and ponatinib. The authors found an increased risk of hypertension with all TKIs. Furthermore, when compared to imatinib dosed at 400 mg, there was an increased risk of cardiovascular events in CML patients with preexisting cardiovascular risk factors, and importantly, in those treated with second and third generation TKIs, particularly ponatinib. This study underscores the importance of vigilant assessment and management of cardiovascular comorbidities in all CML patients treated with TKIs.