Risk Factors and Prognosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Among adult leukaemias, chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is one of the most prevalent types. The Philadelphia chromosome, which constitutively activates tyrosine kinase through the BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein, is central to the pathophysiology of CML. Objectives: To study the risk factors and prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia in Saudi Arabia. Methods: PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Science Direct were systematically searched for relevant literature. Rayyan QRCI was employed throughout this comprehensive process. Results and Interpretation: seven studies with a total of 658 patients and 357 (54.3) were males. Risk factors for the development of CML were shown to be limited to younger and middle-aged groups, with a slight male predominance. This study showed that imatinib for CML has both long-term efficacy and manageable side effects. Improved compliance, lower blast and basophil counts, increased haemoglobin, increased platelets, and a low-risk score were all associated with different molecular reactions to imatinib. Future research is required to assess the possible risk factors, management lines, and prognostic factors of CML in Saudi population.