UK chronic myeloid leukaemia survival rates ‘are improving’

The percentage of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients who are surviving their conditions is on the rise, according to a new study from the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN).

Around 58 per cent of people are now surviving the disease for at least five years, compared with only around 40 per cent in the late 1990s – an increase largely attributed to the availability of better therapy options.

In particular, the family of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has played a significant role in improving prognoses since the launch of the groundbreaking Novartis drug Glivec in 2001.

Since then, second and third-generation TKIs have emerged and been made available, making it likely these survival rates will increase in the coming years.

Chris Carrigan, head of the NCIN, said: "Being able to link data on the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for cancer patients allows us to identify where improved cancer care is having an effect on peoples lives."

Around 600 people in the UK are diagnosed with CML each year, with those aged between 40 and 60 most susceptible to the disease.