Guidance on the use of imatinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia

This recommendation has been updated and replaced by NICE's technology appraisal guidance on dasatinib, nilotinib and imatinib for untreated chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Imatinib is recommended as an option for the treatment of people with Philadelphia-chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) who initially present in the accelerated phase or with blast crisis. Additionally, imatinib is recommended as an option for people who present in the chronic phase and then progress to the accelerated phase or blast crisis if they have not received imatinib previously.

This recommendation has been updated and replaced by NICE's technology appraisal guidance on dasatinib, nilotinib and high-dose imatinib for treating imatinib-resistant or intolerant chronic myeloid leukaemia.

For people in chronic-phase CML who are currently receiving interferon alpha (IFN-alfa) as first-line treatment, the decision about whether to change to imatinib should be informed by the response of the disease to current treatment and by the tolerance of the person to IFN-alfa. This decision should be made after informed discussion between the person with CML and the clinician responsible for treatment, taking full account of the evidence on the risks and benefits of imatinib and the wishes of the person.