IHHN Research Highlights Challenges in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Care in Resource-Limited Settings

A research study by Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) has been published in the Journal of International Medical Research, highlighting the challenges of treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in resource-limited settings.

The study, titled “Chronic myeloid leukemia in resource-limited settings: Navigating treatment challenges amid limited tyrosine kinase inhibitor access,” was authored by Dr. Zunaira Aamir, along with Dr. Bushra Kaleem, Dr. Syed Jawad Hassan, Dr. Aqsa Hafeez, Dr. Ambar Jabeen, Dr. Syeda Ambreen Zehra, and Dr. Neelum Mansoor.

The research analyzed real world outcomes of CML patients treated at IHHN between 2018 and 2025, examining the impact of limited access to advanced therapies and molecular monitoring in Pakistan. The authors note that while high-income countries have significantly improved CML outcomes through the availability of newer tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), patients in low-resource settings continue to rely primarily on first-generation TKIs such as imatinib.

The study found that IHHN’s structured follow-up model and provision of free treatment resulted in encouraging progression-free survival and strong patient adherence. However, many patients experienced treatment failure due to limited access to second- and third-generation TKIs and inconsistent molecular monitoring, reducing their chances of achieving deeper molecular remission and treatment-free remission.

The authors emphasize the need for stronger public–private partnerships, improved access to newer therapies, and greater international collaboration to bridge existing treatment gaps and improve long-term outcomes for CML patients in low- and middle-income countries.

This publication reflects IHHN’s continued commitment to generating evidence that informs equitable, high-quality cancer care and contributes to improving health outcomes in resource-constrained settings.