Interaction Between Gut Microbiota and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Defining the Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Philadelphia positive Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder originating from pluripotent hematopoietic cells. Treatment typically involves tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which have significantly improved long-term survival. While generally well-tolerated, TKIs can cause side effects, particularly gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, malabsorption, bleeding) and liver/pancreatic enzyme increases, which may persist and affect quality of life. Additionally, cardiovascular events, often linked to metabolic changes (e.g., glucose intolerance, diabetes, hypertension), occur more frequently during treatment. These side effects raise concerns about TKIs potentially inducing a chronic inflammatory response.

Recent research on the human microbiota highlights its importance in health. The microbiota plays a critical role in gut health, immune function, and metabolic processes, and its imbalances (dysbiosis) can contribute to a range of diseases. Factors such as diet, age, physical activity, and medication use can disrupt the microbiota. However, the relationship between gut microbiota and TKIs in CML patients remains unexplored.

The current study will evaluate by whether different CML gut microbiota genotypes influence TKI treatment responses, whether microbiota alterations cause inflammation or metabolic disorders, and whether microbiota, along with dysmetabolism and dysimmunity, contribute to variations in treatment efficacy and tolerance