Sustained Treatment-free Remission in BCR-ABL+ Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BCR/ABL+ CML in chronic phase Documented chronic phase CML must meet all the following criteria: \< 15% blasts in peripheral blood \< 30% blasts plus promyelocytes in peripheral blood \< 20% basophils in the peripheral blood * 100 x 109/L (≥ 100,000/mm3) platelets * Age ≥18 * ECOG performance status of 0-2 * Evidence of typical BCR-ABL transcripts which are amenable to standardized RQ-PCR * Adequate end organ function as defined by: Total bilirubin \< 1.5 x ULN (ULN = upper limit of normal in a local institution lab). Does not apply to patients with isolated hyperbilirubinemia (e.g., Gilbert's disease) grade \< 3 SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) ≤ 3 x ULN Serum amylase and lipase ≤ 2 x ULN Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 x ULN Serum creatinine \< 1.5 x ULN * Having completed the QoL baseline evaluation (i.e., before randomization) * Written informed consent prior to any study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Expression of any atypical BCR-ABL transcripts, instead of the classical P210-encoding type with the e13a2 or the e14a2 junction at screening. * Previous treatment with BCR-ABL inhibitors for a period longer than 1 month. * Previous anticancer agents (hydroxyurea, anagrelide, interferon) for CML for a time longer than three months. * Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (defined as HbA1c \>8%). * Prior documented history of coronary heart disease, including myocardial infarction, coronary bypass, coronary …