The 'Lighthouse Project' Officially Launched at the China CML Alliance Annual Summit to Advance Clinical Cure for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Hangzhou, April 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 20, 2019, the "Lighthouse Project," initiated by the China Anti-Cancer Association (CACA) and supported by Novartis Oncology (China), was officially launched at the Annual Summit of the China Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Alliance. With advancements in modern medicine and the continuous introduction of new therapies, chronic myeloid leukemia (hereinafter referred to as CML) has transformed from an incurable disease into a treatable and manageable condition. Today, there is hope for achieving "clinical cure" for this disease. The launch of the "Lighthouse Project" will not only practically assist physicians and patients in achieving the treatment goal of treatment-free remission (hereinafter referred to as TFR) and discontinuing medication as early as possible, but also establish and strengthen confidence in "cure" among both physicians and patients.

“Lighthouse Initiative” Officially Launched, Illuminating the Path to “Cure” for Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

The Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (2016 Edition) state that “improving quality of life and achieving functional cure are the long-term goals of CML treatment.”[1] Professor Wang Jianxiang, Chairman of the Hematology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, stated, “Establishing confidence in the ‘cure’ of CML among both physicians and patients, with treatment-free remission (TFR) as the therapeutic goal to pursue, will help enhance patients’ confidence in treatment, thereby encouraging adherence to standardized monitoring, compliant medication use, and regular follow-up, ultimately leading to optimal clinical benefits.”

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) accounts for 15% of adult leukemias. Epidemiological surveys in several regions of China have shown an annual incidence rate of 0.39–0.55 per 100,000 population. Compared with Western countries, CML patients in China are younger, with a median age at diagnosis of 45–50 years.[1] Professor Duan Minghui, Chief Physician of the Department of Hematology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, stated, “Since most patients exhibit no obvious signs or symptoms in the early stages, those who do not receive timely treatment may progress to the terminal blast crisis phase within 3 to 5 years, leading to death.”[2]

Following the launch of the “Lighthouse Project,” a series of educational initiatives for physicians and patients will be implemented. Physicians will receive standardized training, through which they will drive online patient education, including knowledge dissemination via platforms such as the CML Grand Lecture Hall and patient education videos. As a best-practice initiative exploring Treatment-Free Remission (TFR) within the framework of the CML Treatment Outcome Index, the CML Real-World Data Report will serve as the core component of the “Lighthouse Project.” In the future, the CML Index will categorize patients along two pathways—diagnosis/treatment and management. By leveraging big data analytics, a final data model will be established. Subsequently, relevant data indicators from the treatment process will be used to project probable outcomes, benchmark against treatment regimens from leading domestic experts, identify areas where targets are not met, and implement improvements, thereby striving to achieve optimal treatment goals.

Yan Zhao, Director of the Department of Continuing Education and Science & Technology Services of the China Anti-Cancer Association, stated:“‘Lighthouse Project’Established a scientific, systematic, and sustainable chronic disease management and monitoring framework for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China. Through academic exchanges, physician training, intelligent patient management and follow-up, and patient education, this initiative promotes the concept of regular monitoring and treatment aimed at achieving treatment-free remission (TFR). This approach helps extend the survival of CML patients, reduce disease-related mortality, and alleviate the economic burden on patients and society.”

Alexandre Gibim, General Manager of Novartis Oncology (China), stated, “Novartis has always adhered to a patient-centric philosophy, working alongside the Chinese government to assist cancer patients in dire circumstances. This time, we have joined hands with the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, physicians, and patients to facilitate the launch of the ‘Lighthouse Program.’ In the future, we will help more Chinese patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), strive toward achieving ‘cure’ for more patients, and work together to alleviate the burden on patients and society. We hope to illuminate the long journey of patients’ fight against disease, enabling them to enjoy rich and colorful lives like anyone else.”

From Treatable to Curable: The Path of Hope for Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

From being perceived as a “terminal illness” to becoming treatable with medication, and now to achieving potential cures, the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has continuously advanced through exploration and breakthroughs. The approval and launch of imatinib in 2001 transformed CML into a “chronic disease” for the vast majority of patients, enabling them to live with cancer. As CML is effectively controlled, an increasing number of patients aspire to a higher quality of life, seek a cure, aim to reduce their financial and psychological burdens, and strive to lead normal lives.

With the prolongation of overall survival in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), greater emphasis is being placed on quality of life. Treatment-free remission (TFR), as a higher goal of CML therapy, has been widely accepted by the international medical community. Numerous studies have confirmed the feasibility of discontinuing treatment in CML patients who achieve sustained deep molecular response. At the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in December 2018, multiple tyrosineAmmoniaAcidKinase InhibitionDosage FormResearch on discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy has garnered widespread attention.[3]

Professor Zhang Yanli, Director of the Department of Hematology at Henan Cancer Hospital, stated, “In the past, we encountered many patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who felt inferior due to long-term medication use, believing they had lost the right to marry or have children, which led to numerous regrets. In fact, CML patients who achieve deep molecular response and enter a treatment-free remission phase can discontinue targeted therapy, provided they undergo regular follow-up examinations at the hospital. Achieving treatment discontinuation represents not only their hope for a ‘normal’ life but also true ‘freedom.’”

Jingjing (a pseudonym), a patient who has already achieved TFR status, also came to the event to share the positive changes in her life and mindset after discontinuing medication: “Since stopping treatment, I have been able to engage more actively and with greater ease in both my work and family life compared to before. The psychological burden on my family has also significantly decreased, and the laughter and joy of the past have returned to our lives. I hope that the launch of the ‘Lighthouse Project’ will inspire more CML patients to adhere to standardized treatment, reinforcing the belief that achieving ‘cure’ for CML is not a miracle.”

Professor Duan Minghui emphasized, “With the continuous advancement of medical research and the ongoing accumulation of real-world data, achieving a ‘clinical cure’ for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients through standardized treatment is no longer out of reach. In the future, attaining deep molecular response and entering a treatment-free remission state will become a natural progression in CML management, and the ‘Lighthouse Project’ will help more patients achieve this goal.”