Long lasting complete molecular remission after suspending dasatinib treatment in chronic myeloid leukemia

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors specific for BCR-ABL, were a major breakthrough in CML therapy. Second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (dasatinib, nilotinib) are indicated for imatinib resistant and intolerant patients. Present guidelines recommend continuous drug dosing for maintaining remission. There is no available data concerning the optimal duration of dasatinib therapy. We report the case of an imatinib intolerant patient who succeeded a complete molecular remission with dasatinib. Dasatinib was stopped bacause of intolerance, but complete molecular remission was sustained for one year and minor molecular remission for 27 months after discontinuation of dasatinib.