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Patients HCP
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Understanding Ph+ CML in Chronic Phase. Al real patient.
 

For many, a diagnosis of Ph+ CML 
in chronic phase (Ph+ CML-CP) 
is unexpected
 

Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase is often diagnosed during a routine physical examination or after blood tests. Although the diagnosis may come as a surprise, it's important to take an active role in your treatment from the start.

Bone marrow icon

What is Ph+ CML in chronic phase?
 

Ph+ CML is a blood and bone marrow cancer (bone marrow is a tissue that creates blood cells) that is caused by an abnormal protein, called BCR-ABL. This protein causes uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood cells, also known as leukemic cells. 


There are 3 phases of Ph+ CML. Chronic phase is the first phase of Ph+ CML. Most adults are diagnosed in chronic phase.

 

How many people have Ph+ CML? 
 

In 2021, it was estimated that almost 70,000 people in the United States were living with Ph+ CML.

In 2024, it was expected that more than 9,200 people in the United States are diagnosed with Ph+ CML

Symptoms of Ph+ CML 

Some people experience feeling unusually tired, shortness of breath, fever, and bone pain. But these are not all the possible symptoms of Ph+ CML, so be sure to have an ongoing discussion with your doctor about how you're feeling.

The biology of Ph+ CML

Even if you’ve been living with Ph+ CML in chronic phase for a while, it’s still helpful to understand the biology behind the disease and what’s happening in your body. Ph+ CML occurs in the body when 2 chromosomes fuse abnormally. This creates a new, atypical chromosome: the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. 

The atypical Ph chromosome creates an abnormal gene called BCR::ABL1. This gene produces the abnormal BCR-ABL protein that causes Ph+ CML.

The role of the Ph chromosome 

Ph+ CML is caused by a continuously active, abnormal protein (BCR-ABL) that leads to uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood cells in your bone marrow, which your doctor may call "leukemic cells." The leukemic cells then grow, divide, and build up. This crowds out healthy red blood cells and platelets in the bone marrow. Leukemic cells from the bone marrow enter the bloodstream, overwhelming healthy blood cells. This increases the risk of infections, anemia, bruising easily, and bleeding that takes longer to stop.

Abnormal protein causing Ph+ CML. Signaling for uncontrolled white blood cell growth in Ph+ CML.
Information icon

Take an active role in learning about Ph+ CML-CP

 

The more you know about your disease, the better you may be able to communicate with your doctor. In addition to reviewing the information on this website, go to the Helpful Resources page to find contact information for advocacy groups that support patients with Ph+ CML-CP. 

Learn about SCEMBLIX as a treatment option

If you are an adult with Ph+ CML in chronic phase, ask your doctor if SCEMBLIX may be right for you. SCEMBLIX is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with newly diagnosed Ph+ CML in chronic phase.

It is not known if SCEMBLIX is safe and effective in children.