Research and clinical trials
Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for CML in the UK. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in.
Some of the trials on this page have now stopped recruiting people. It takes time before the results are available. This is because the trial team follow the patients for a period of time and collect and analyse the results. We have included this ongoing research to give examples of the type of research being carried out in CML.
All cancer treatments must be fully researched before they can be used for everyone. This is so we can be sure that:
they work
they work better than the treatments already available
they are safe
To make sure the research is accurate, each trial has certain entry conditions for who can take part. These are different for each trial.
Hospitals do not take part in every clinical trial. Some trials are only done in a small number of hospitals, or in one area of the country. You may need to travel quite far if you take part in these trials.
The main treatment for CML is a group of targeted cancer drug called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
Targeted cancer drugs work by ‘targeting’ the differences that help a cancer cell to survive and grow. The main treatment for CML is a group of targeted cancer drugs called .
TKIs block chemical messengers (enzymes) called tyrosine kinases. Tyrosine kinases help to send growth signals in cells, so blocking them stops the cells growing and dividing.
Doctors currently treat CML with the following TKIs:
imatinib
nilotinib
dasatinib
bosutinib
ponatinib
asciminib
Researchers continue to look into these types of cancer drugs to improve treatment. They are:
trying new TKIs such as vodobatinib and olverembatinib
combining nilotinib with a type of drug called peginterferon. Researchers think people having this combination may get a better response to treatment
finding out if asciminib is better than some of the other TKIs as a first treatment for CML
trying ponatinib in children and young people under 18 years old
learning more about the dose and side effects
Find out more about the research into targeted cancer drugs
A small number of people have a as part of your treatment for CML. With CML you have a transplant using stem cells or bone marrow from someone else. This is called a .
The doesn’t work properly for several months after a transplant. It can take a long time for people to recover and they are more at risk of getting an infection.
People living with blood cancers often have many times due to their increased risk of infection. Antibiotics can reduce the number of ‘good’ bacteria in the digestive system which reduces the variety of gut . Research is looking at treatment to bring back the ‘good’ bacteria to support a person’s immune system and help recovery.
Find out more about this trial
Graft versus host disease (GvHD) is a possible complication of a stem cell transplant from another person. GvHD happens when particular types of (T cells) in the donated stem cells attack your own cells. This is because the donated cells (the graft) see your body cells (the host) as foreign and attack them.
A trial is comparing with 2 newer combinations of treatment to see if this helps prevent GvHD.
Go to information about this trial
A hospital in Birmingham is looking at people who are having a stem cell transplant and people who are donors of stem cell transplant. They are looking at blood samples before and after a transplant. They are also taking blood from donors.
The researchers want to look further at these samples to better understand stem cell transplants. They hope they can improve the success of treatment and ways to help prevent or lower the side effects.
Last reviewed: 17 Sept 2025
Next review due: 17 Sept 2028
If you see a trial on our database that you are interested in, you will usually need to discuss it with your own doctor or cancer specialist.
Targeted cancer drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the main treatment for CML. Find out more about your treatment options, the different treatments and how they monitor treatment is working.
Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is often a slowly developing condition. Treatment can keep it under control for many years. Find out how to cope and what support is available.
CML starts in the white blood cells called granulocytes. It often develops slowly and treatment can keep it under control for many years. Find out more.
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Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
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