CML: the concepts of resistance and persistence and the relationship with BCR-ABL1

Chronic myeloid leukaemia is driven by a hybrid gene, BCR-ABL1, that codes for a leukemogenic tyrosine kinase (TK) protein of 210 KDa (p210BCR-ABL1). Resistance to TK inhibitor (TKI) therapy occurs in relatively few patients, no more than 10%, while persistence of minimal residual disease during TKI therapy occurs in the great majority of patients. Leukemia vol 33, pgs 2358–2364 (2019