Dasatinib in Treating Patients With Early Chronic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Dasatinib is an anticancer drug that is designed to block the function of BCR-ABL, which is the abnormal protein responsible for causing leukemia in certain cells. Before you can start therapy on this study, you will have what are called "screening tests." These tests will help the doctor decide if you are eligible to take part in the study. You will have a complete medical history and physical exam. Blood (about 2 tablespoons) will be collected for routine tests. You will also have a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. To collect a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration, an area of the hip or chest bone is numbed with anesthetic and a small amount of bone marrow and bone is withdrawn through a large needle. Women who are able to have children must have a negative blood or urine pregnancy test. If you are found to be eligible to take part in this study and you agree, you will take dasatinib once every day while on study. Dasatinib should be taken by mouth with water. Every 1-2 weeks during the first 4 weeks of the study, you will have around 2 tablespoons of blood drawn for routine blood tests. The blood tests will be repeated every 4-6 weeks until 1 year from when you started therapy and then every 3-4 months until 2 years, then as often as the doctor thinks it is needed. A bone marrow aspiration will also be taken to check the status of the disease every 3-4 months for the first year and then as often as the doctor thinks it is needed for as long as you are on the study. You will be given a medication diary to monitor any missed doses. You will also be asked to visit the doctor for a physical exam and to have vital signs measured periodically. These visits will be scheduled at least every 3-4 months for the first year, then recommended every 6 to 12 months while you are on the study. The visits may be scheduled more often depending on the status of the disease. Treatment may be continued for up to 8-10 years or as long as the doctor feels it is necessary to control the leukemia. If the disease gets worse or you experience any intolerable side effects, you will be taken off the study and your doctor will discuss other treatment options with you. If you decide to stop participating in the study, you are encouraged to discuss your decision with your study doctor.