Treatment response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (imatinib vs. dasatinib) and its link to vitamin D deficiency among adult CML patients

Abstract

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) accounts for 20% of all adult leukemia’s with a prevalence of 10 of 100,000. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are targeted therapy options that revolutionized the management of CML, such that it is merely a pill taken once daily. The aim of the present study is to assess the treatment response to TKIs (imatinib vs. dasatinib) and its link to vitamin d deficiency among adult CML patients. Methods: This study retrospectively measured the molecular responses among patients who received TKIs at King Fahad medical City, Riyadh from January 2015 to July 2018. Only those who had polymerase chain reaction tests for a minimum duration of 12 months since the initiation were included, a total of 47 patients. The response to TKIs was compared according to the European leukemia net guidelines. Also, the relationship of the molecular response to vitamin D levels was assessed. Result: Our findings revealed a female preponderance and a younger age of onset among our sample. Also, there was no statistically significant difference among responses to TKIs, neither at 6 nor at 12 months. However, a statistically significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and a failed molecular response was noted at 12 months (p = 0.014). Also, patients with vitamin D deficiency were 13 times more likely to have a failed molecular response (OR = 13, 95% CI 1.14-147). Conclusion: The present study found a statistically significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and a failed molecular response noted at 12 months.