Chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with beta thalassemia major: a rare presentation

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in patients with β-thalassemia major is a rare and concerning occurrence. The longer life expectancy of thalassemia patients, resulting from improved treatment options and better healthcare facilities, has led to the emergence of various health-related issues and compl...

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Main Authors: Alyna Hafeez, Muhammad Usman Shaikh, Abdul Hadi Mallick, Nouman Nathani, Junaid Alam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-07-01
Series:Therapeutic Advances in Hematology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20406207251353194
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author Alyna Hafeez
Muhammad Usman Shaikh
Abdul Hadi Mallick
Nouman Nathani
Junaid Alam
author_facet Alyna Hafeez
Muhammad Usman Shaikh
Abdul Hadi Mallick
Nouman Nathani
Junaid Alam
author_sort Alyna Hafeez
collection DOAJ
description Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in patients with β-thalassemia major is a rare and concerning occurrence. The longer life expectancy of thalassemia patients, resulting from improved treatment options and better healthcare facilities, has led to the emergence of various health-related issues and complications. We present the case of a 24-year-old female diagnosed with β-thalassemia major at six months of age, who presented with weakness and lethargy in clinic. Investigations, including a bone marrow biopsy, confirmed CML in the chronic phase. Initial management with imatinib resulted in severe thrombocytopenia and failure to achieve a molecular response. The treatment was then switched to Ponatinib, leading to a favorable outcome with early molecular response. This case report highlights the increased risk of hematological malignancies in thalassemia patients and underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring in them. Furthermore, it emphasizes the role and effectiveness of third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the management of such cases.
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institution Kabale University
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series Therapeutic Advances in Hematology
spelling doaj-art-1ae2cfe6197d47968ed3070ffe5d320f2025-08-20T03:33:39ZengSAGE PublishingTherapeutic Advances in Hematology2040-62152025-07-011610.1177/20406207251353194Chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with beta thalassemia major: a rare presentationAlyna HafeezMuhammad Usman ShaikhAbdul Hadi MallickNouman NathaniJunaid AlamChronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in patients with β-thalassemia major is a rare and concerning occurrence. The longer life expectancy of thalassemia patients, resulting from improved treatment options and better healthcare facilities, has led to the emergence of various health-related issues and complications. We present the case of a 24-year-old female diagnosed with β-thalassemia major at six months of age, who presented with weakness and lethargy in clinic. Investigations, including a bone marrow biopsy, confirmed CML in the chronic phase. Initial management with imatinib resulted in severe thrombocytopenia and failure to achieve a molecular response. The treatment was then switched to Ponatinib, leading to a favorable outcome with early molecular response. This case report highlights the increased risk of hematological malignancies in thalassemia patients and underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring in them. Furthermore, it emphasizes the role and effectiveness of third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the management of such cases.https://doi.org/10.1177/20406207251353194
spellingShingle Alyna Hafeez
Muhammad Usman Shaikh
Abdul Hadi Mallick
Nouman Nathani
Junaid Alam
Chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with beta thalassemia major: a rare presentation
Therapeutic Advances in Hematology
title Chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with beta thalassemia major: a rare presentation
title_full Chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with beta thalassemia major: a rare presentation
title_fullStr Chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with beta thalassemia major: a rare presentation
title_full_unstemmed Chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with beta thalassemia major: a rare presentation
title_short Chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with beta thalassemia major: a rare presentation
title_sort chronic myeloid leukemia in a patient with beta thalassemia major a rare presentation
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20406207251353194
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AT abdulhadimallick chronicmyeloidleukemiainapatientwithbetathalassemiamajorararepresentation
AT noumannathani chronicmyeloidleukemiainapatientwithbetathalassemiamajorararepresentation
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