Treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic‐phase CML in clinical practice: 3‐year European SIMPLICITY data

OBJECTIVES: SIMPLICITY (NCT01244750) is an observational study of patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) in routine clinical practice receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We evaluated TKI treatment changes and how switching affects clinical response in patients recruited in Europe with ≥3 years of follow-up. METHODS: The SIMPLICITY European cohort (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, and Spain) included 431 patients. 370 (86%) were followed for ≥3 years. RESULTS: Proportions of patients experiencing treatment interruptions, TKI switching, and discontinuations decreased over 3 years' follow-up. Intolerance was a key driver for treatment changes. Complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) was achieved in 87.5% of patients switching TKI within 3 years of initiation vs 91.7% of non-switchers. Major molecular response (MMR) was achieved in 82.4% of switchers vs 92.9% of non-switchers. Over 3 years, not switching TKI was a strong predictor for achieving CCyR or MMR (both P < .05). Three-year survival remained high, irrespective of treatment changes (95.3% switchers, 96.4% non-switchers). CONCLUSIONS: European patients with CP-CML who do not switch TKI are more likely to achieve clinical response, while intolerance is a key driver for switching. Successful CML management may require careful selection of initial TKI, with early monitoring of response and intolerance.