Factors associated with patient-reported symptoms in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

This study aimed to investigate which factors are associated with patient-reported symptoms and their impact on quality-of-life in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who are receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 

This study concluded that there were a number of factors associated with patient-reported symptoms in these patients, including the type of drug, treatment duration, and depth of response.  

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) includes areas related to physical, mental, emotional and social functioning. It focuses on the impact health status has on the quality of life of patients.  

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a type of targeted therapy. They are commonly used as a treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It was unknown what factors were associated with patient-reported symptoms and the impact of these symptoms on HRQoL in patients with CML who are receiving TKIs. 

This study involved 1142 adult patients with chronic-phase CML (CP-CML). All patients were receiving TKI therapy for over 3 months. Patients completed a questionnaire regarding the frequency of symptoms, severity, and HRQoL.  

The most common TKI-related symptoms reported were fatigue (77%), swollen eyes and feet (72%), chest distress and shortness of breath (61%), memory problems (54%), skin color change (44%), hair loss (44%), muscle cramp (42%), weight gain (42%), muscle and joint pain (42%), and itchy skin (38%). 

23% of women reported pain and breast swelling. 10% of men reported swollen breasts. 50% of female patients aged 50 years or under reported menstrual disorders. Increased  

Women tended to report more frequent and more severe symptoms. Other factors associated with an increased frequency and severity of symptoms were TKI therapy duration of 1 to 3 years and foreign generic TKIs.  

Receiving nilotinib (Tasigna) or dasatinib (Sprycel) rather than imatinib (Glivec) treatment, and achieving complete cytogenic response (CCyR) were factors associated with fewer and milder symptoms. CCyR is when no cells with the Philadelphia chromosomes can be found in the bone marrow. 

This study concluded that the type of TKI-therapy, therapy duration, and depth of response were associated with patient-reported symptoms in patients with CP-CML. 

This study was based on patient-reported data from questionnaires. It is still unknown if the symptoms are caused by the TKIs, other treatments, patient physical or psychological conditions. More controlled studies are needed.

Consult your physician about symptoms and variables related to CP-CML TKI treatment.