Molecular monitoring to improve outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase: importance of achieving treatment-free remission.

Imatinib was the first BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) developed for the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); subsequently, the introduction of more potent BCR-ABL1 TKIs has raised expectations regarding the speed and depth of response. This review discusses how molecular monitoring is being used as an integral part of the treatment regimen to achieve improved outcomes in patients with CML. The long-term prognostic implications of achieving early molecular response to TKI therapy and the feasibility of maintaining treatment-free remission will also be discussed in light of current clinical data.