PB1921 COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF MOLECULAR RESPONSE IN TUNISIAN CML PATIENTS FOR TREATMENT DISCONTINUATION

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by a balanced genetic translocation, t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) and the generation of a BCR‐ABL1 fusion oncogene. Assessment and monitoring of BCR‐ABL1 levels by quantitative PCR (qPCR) is essential for the management of CML patients treated with TKIs. Currently, deeper molecular response (DMR: BCR‐ABL1 ≤0,01% IS) is considered to be the gateway to treatment‐free remission, which is becoming a high‐priority goal of CML treatment. Thus, achieving deep molecular response is a requirement for a successful treatment discontinuation. Aims: This study was carried out to identify patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with TKI therapy in routine clinical practice in Tunisia potentially eligible for treatment discontinuation, based on a molecular response (MR) on the international scale (IS). Methods: It was a 2 years retrospective study of 114 CML patients who attended the hematology department at the Hospital University of Sfax, south of Tunisia. Quantitative assessment of the BCR‐ABL transcript was performed using the Cepheid Xpert BCR‐ABL ultra assay. Results: Most patients (67,5% i.e 77/114) had an optimal response according to the European LeukemiaNet 2013 guidelines. Among them; 58,4% were in deep molecular response at their last visit and had been receiving TKI for at least 4 years. Summary/Conclusion: Despite the limit of our study, the available real‐life molecular responses with TKI therapy should be considered to identify potentially CML patients eligible for discontinuation of TKI therapy.