Dr. Cortes on the Future of Ponatinib in CML Treatment

Jorge E. Cortes, MD, director of the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, discusses the future of ponatinib (Iclusig) in the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Data from recent studies on ponatinib could help inform better management of the drug, and potentially even explore its use in early-line setting, Cortes says. In the OPTIC trial, ponatinib was evaluated at 3 starting doses (45 mg, 30 mg, and 15 mg daily) in participants with CML who are resistant to prior TKI therapy or have T359 mutation. Once patients achieved a response, they were able to reduce the daily dose to 15 mg. However, results from the study suggest that the 45 mg dose offers the best benefit to these patients, according to Cortes.

Additionally, the risk of arterial occlusive events (AOEs) seems to be much less than what had been seen before, which suggests better management of the drug; this could be due to patient selection, dose reduction, or the improved management of comorbidities, concludes Cortes.