Ponatinib in Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) (EPIC)

This multicenter, international, phase 3 trial will test the hypothesis that ponatinib is an effective treatment for newly diagnosed CP-CML patients when compared with standard imatinib. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion, stratified by Sokal risk score at diagnosis (low, intermediate, high), to receive once daily oral administration of either ponatinib or imatinib. Efficacy measures include molecular, cytogenetic, and hematologic response rates at various timepoints; time to, duration of, and durability of responses; and survival follow-up. Safety measures include clinical laboratory testing, adverse event monitoring, vital signs, physical exams, ECGs, and ECHOs. Other measures include two patient-reported health outcomes questionnaires (FACT-Leu and EQ-5D-5L), determination of mutation status, and, for ponatinib only, measurement of steady-state plasma concentration. Accrual is expected to take approximately 2 years, and patients will be followed for survival for up to 8 years after the last patient's first dose; therefore, patient participation may last up to 10 years.