New blood cancer drug shows stronger early response in CML study

Key points

• Researchers from Adelaide University and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute have found that the targeted drug asciminib suppresses the cancer-driving protein in chronic myeloid leukaemia more effectively than imatinib and nilotinib. Within one week, asciminib showed substantially stronger suppression than these existing treatments.
• The researchers say the findings could help doctors assess treatment response earlier. The study was published in the journal Leukemia.
• The researchers note that individual responses may vary and further clinical assessment remains important.