The emerging use of chemotherapy-free regimens in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Before the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the outcome of patients with a diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia was dismal. Combinations of TKIs and chemotherapy improved survival rates, but allogeneic stem cell transplant was still relied on to avoid relapse in most cases. More recently, the chemotherapy-free combination of blinatumomab plus newer-generation TKIs has shown favorable results and may eliminate the need for allogeneic stem cell transplant. This review discusses the evolution of the treatment of Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with chemotherapy-free regimens in the current era.