Clinical and Hematological Characteristics of Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia under Present-Day Conditions: Results of the Russian Part of International Multi-Center Prospective EUTOS Population-Based CML Study

Abstract

Background. Much attention has been paid to molecule-genetic diagnostics of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and its treatment using new highly effective methods of therapy. The baseline characteristics of patients at primary CML diagnosis are hardly discussed in literature. Aim. To provide clinical, hematological, molecular genetic and demographic characteristics of patients obtained at primary diagnosis of CML. Patients & Methods. Characteristics of CML patients are based on data gathered by the Russian Investigational Group for CML within the international project European Treatment and Outcome Study of CML in Europe (EUTOS, the European Treatment and Outcomes Study). The study included 197 patients with newly diagnosed CML in 6 regions of the Russian Federation (Mordovia, Kirov, Perm (2 sites), Bryansk, Irkutsk, and Chita) over the period from 2009 till 2012. Results. The study demonstrated that 94 % of CML cases were diagnosed in the chronic phase (CP) and 6 % of cases in the acceleration phase (AP) and the blast crisis phase (BC). In 40 % of patients there were no clinical symptoms, and CML was suspected only due to changes in the CBC test. Fatigue was the main subjective complaint presented by 77 % of patients in the CP and 100 % of patients with the AP and BC. Peripheral blood leukocytosis, left shift to immature myeloid cells and increased granulocytic lineage in bone marrow were typical for the patients. In all patients, the CML diagnosis was confirmed by cytogenetic or molecular tests. The social and demographic characteristics of CML patients and comorbidities at diagnosis were analyzed. Conclusion. Based on the results of the study, a modern «portrait of a CML patient» was obtained. The study demonstrated that cytogenetic and molecular methods allow to diagnose CML in most patients at early stages of the disease in the absence of clinical signs of progression. The data on comorbidities require a special attention while choosing a therapy considering its duration. Demographic and social characteristics of CML patients demonstrate that they are socially active, particularly interested in retaining the working capacity and quality of life.