Targeted Therapy for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Targeted therapy aims to more precisely attack cancer cells. These drugs target changes in the genes or proteins of cancer cells that help them grow, divide, and spread.

These are the targeted therapy drugs that are used most often to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). New treatments become available all the time, so this may not be a complete list.

Please note: The side effects listed here do not represent a comprehensive list. Each targeted therapy drug has its own set of side effects and ways of working. It's important to discuss all potential side effects of a drug with your healthcare team. Be sure to tell your healthcare team about any side effects you do have.

Expand

All Available Treatments

IV (through a vein) =      Pill =

Treatment Type

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)

Drug Names
Gleevec® & Imkeldi® (Imatinib) (Pill)
Phyrego® & Sprycel® (Dasatinib) (Pill)
Tasigna® & Danziten® (Nilotinib) (Pill)
Bosulif® (Bosutinib), Iclusig® (Ponatinib) (Pill)
Scemblix® (Asciminib) (Pill)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Liver problems Heart problems Eye problems Blood clots
Potential Side Effects
Diarrhea Nausea/vomiting Fatigue/weakness Skin/nail changes Muscle pain Joint pain/stiffness Low blood counts Blood pressure changes Fluid Retention
Important Things to Know

In most patients, TKIs are taken indefinitely to manage CML. TKIs can have severe interactions with other medications, supplements, and certain foods (such as grapefruit and pomegranate). Inform your care team of everything you take.