Data from a new survey of 550 physicians and specialists across Europe indicate that 47% of physicians are not carrying out regular molecular monitoring for patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML).1 Results from the UK show that a quarter of physicians surveyed do not follow molecular monitoring recommendations; this may impact clinical decision making in CML.1,2

Commenting on the results, Professor Nick Cross, Director of the Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory, Salisbury District Hospital, UK, said: "It is good news for patients that the UK is ahead of Europe when it comes to monitoring and testing. However, this research does highlight the need for increased monitoring. By working together, we can help to ensure improved monitoring throughout the course of the disease."

Tony Gavin, Chief Executive of Leukaemia CARE, UK, commented: "The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has revolutionised CML treatment and now patients have more options than ever before. Resistance and intolerance to treatments are real concerns for patients and their physicians and monitoring in the correct way is key to achieving the longest possible survival rates."

In response to this new evidence, the 'It's Best to Test' programme has launched across Europe to help improve testing and monitoring rates for chronic myeloid leukaemia patients. This initiative is initially sponsored by Bristol Myers-Squibb.

Key survey findings:

Molecular testing

- The market research highlights wide discrepancies throughout Europe regarding the level of monitoring practices

- 47% of physicians across Europe are not following current European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations with regards to the molecular monitoring of their CML patients1
v - In the UK, 75% of physicians follow recommendations that advise molecular testing for routine monitoring every three months

- UK and Spain (75% and 71%) are ahead of both Germany and Italy (47% and 49%) regarding the number of physicians who follow the ELN recommendations1

Mutational testing

- Current European LeukemiaNet (ELN) recommendations state that mutational tests are important3 however these results suggest that confusion exists amongst some physicians regarding the correct time to use a mutational test1

Relationship with molecular biologists

- The market research showed that in the UK, France and Italy the active interaction between molecular biologists and clinicians was productive and positive and that input from molecular biologists helps physicians with their management decisions1

- However, more than a quarter of European physicians do not have contact with molecular biologists and in the UK, more than 45% do not have contact with molecular biologists1

- Results from the research show that UK physicians would like to see increased input from molecular biologists into test results and the choice of test used1

Barriers to testing

- The two biggest barriers preventing physicians from testing more regularly are costs and lack of capacity1

About 'It's Best to Test'

'It's Best to Test' is an initiative which aims to drive change and improvement in CML monitoring and testing for CML patients across Europe and the UK. A need for improved support and education for healthcare professionals has clearly been identified in the market research results and a European-wide focus is needed to improve monitoring for CML.

References

- 'It's Best to Test' Survey: An assessment of CML Monitoring across Europe - data on file. This survey was conducted between November 2007 and February 2008 by the independent market research agency TNS and funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb

- Kantarjian et al. Monitoring the response and course of chronic myeloid leukemia in the modern era of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors: practical advice on the use and interpretation of monitoring methods. Blood 2008;111;4: 1774-80

- Baccarani et al. Evolving concepts in the management of chronic myeloid leukemia: recommendations from an expert panel on behalf of the European LeukemiaNet. Blood 2006; 108;6: 1809 - 1820

Market research survey information:

The data included in this report was derived from a market research survey commissioned by Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl (bms) and coordinated by TNS (tnsglobal), a research organisation. The market research survey involved quantitative and qualitative interviews in 584 subjects in 11 countries ( Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Hungary, UK, Turkey, Romania, Holland, Poland and Czech Republic ). As this is a market research survey, the data was not collected according to clinical research practice standards. Data was collated by TNS between November 2007 and February 2008.

Bristol-Myers Squibb