This is a really interesting hypothesis. Basically this group of researchers are saying that newly diagnosed CML that is treated with IM as first line will eventually have a real chance of a cure! They say that IM renders the leukaemic stem cells are weakened by continued exposure to TKI's and eventually this weakness is fatal to their survival. It might take some time but if they are right in what they say it looks like we might already have a drug cure!!
Go to the home page for the link and more information.
"Tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy can cure chronic myeloid leukemia, although it may have to be prolonged. The depth of response increases with time in the vast majority of patients. These results illustrate the importance of stochastic effects on the dynamics of acquired hematopoietic stem cell disorders and have direct relevance for other hematopoietic stem cell-derived diseases."