Adverse events of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and their impact on quality of life in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Since the life expectancy of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients increased in the era of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), both the CML caring physicians and the patients face another important issue – quality of life (QoL). In daily clinical practice, in order to improve QoL, managing adverse events (AEs) of the TKIs and maintaining the patients’ adherence to the TKI treatment are becoming really important. Areas covered: This review mainly focuses on the AEs of TKIs and their impact on the QoL among patients with CML. Expert commentary: The evaluation of QoL in patients with CML receiving TKIs with different scales as well as patient reported outcomes (PROs) will help physicians to proactively address issues related to QoL and the proper management of these AEs will help patients to live a near-normal life.