Moving away from chemotherapy in newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Chemotherapy-free regimens are reshaping the treatment landscape of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The report by Xie et al. suggests that the combination of dasatinib and prednisone is effective as induction and early consolidation. Survival was improved in patients who subsequently underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Commentary on: Xie et al. Dasatinib plus prednisone as induction and consolidation for adults with Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A single-arm, multicentre, phase 2 trial. Br J Haematol 2023 (Online ahead of print). doi: 10.1111/bjh.18975.

Automated summary

Chemotherapy-free regimens are changing the way Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is treated. The combination of dasatinib and prednisone is found to be effective for induction and early consolidation. Survival rates are improved in patients who undergo allogeneic stem cell transplantation.