Optimizing health-related quality of life in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Introduction: The current treatment landscape of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is challenging for several reasons, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) data may be of critical importance to help physicians and patients make more informed decisions. Areas covered: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed to identify the most recent studies (between April 2016 and June 2020) assessing the impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on adult CML patients' HRQOL. Studies assessing treatment discontinuation were also considered. For each study, we evaluated characteristics of CML patients included, treatment information and basic HRQOL data, including questionnaires used, and summary findings. Expert opinion: Valuable information can be gleaned from recent CML studies including a HRQOL assessment; however, major gaps remain in our knowledge. These include, for example, a better understanding of the impact of second- and third-generation TKIs on patients' HRQOL compared to imatinib therapy. Also, the benefits of TKI treatment discontinuation, in terms of symptom burden and HRQOL, are yet to be fully elucidated. More research efforts are needed in this area to generate high-quality evidence that can facilitate decision-making.