Asciminib Ascends in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Therapy

Many patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) experience durable remission on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting the BCR::ABL1 chimeric protein; however, resistance due to ATP binding-site mutations and toxicities often limits efficacy. Asciminib — a TKI that binds to the ABL myristoyl pocket — showed superior efficacy and safety compared with investigator’s choice of imatinib or a second-generation TKI (nilotinib, dasatinib, or bosutinib) in an industry-sponsored, randomized, phase 3 trial, leading to FDA approval for chronic-phase CML in 2024. Participants continued treatment indefinitely unless they developed intolerance. Now, investigators report findings of a preplanned 96-week analysis.