Comparative efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatments in the third-line setting, for chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia after failure of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors

•We compared the efficacy of ponatinib and 2G-TKIs in CP-CML after ≥1 prior 2G-TKI.•Relevant studies were identified by systematic review.•Estimated response to 2G-TKI was 22–26% versus 60% (95% CrI 52–68%) with ponatinib.•Probability of response was greater with ponatinib than with a further 2G-TKI.

We compared the efficacy of ponatinib and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2G-TKIs: bosutinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib) in chronic phase CML resistant/intolerant to ≥1 prior 2G-TKI. Estimated probabilities of CCyR with 2G-TKI ranged from 22% to 26%, compared with 60% (95% CrI 52–68%) with ponatinib. The estimated probability of ponatinib providing higher response rate than all other included treatments was 99% (CCyR) and 97% (MCyR). Use of further 2G-TKI may provide limited benefit in CP-CML patients resistant/intolerant to prior 2G-TKI treatment. Compared with 2G-TKIs, ponatinib is estimated to provide substantially higher probability of achieving CCyR and MCyR; safety was not compared.