CML at the 2018 ASH meeting—selected presentations

Treatment recommendations in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment have not changed substantially since treatment-free remission (TFR) has become a therapeutic option. Hence, allowing more patients to enter TFR is gaining significance. Although, Asciminib as a first-in-class new type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is in clinical development, currently combination treatment with TKIs and Interferon-alpha2b appears the best option to deepen molecular response and broaden the basis of potential TFR candidates. Improving the chances of a first successful TFR has to be the primary goal in TFR optimization as even re-induction of a deep molecular response after TFR failure using second generation TKIs shows disillusioning results.