This study focuses on patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in its chronic phase, which is a type of blood cancer affecting white blood cells. The study compares two medications: Nilotinib (Tasigna) and Imatinib (Glivec), which are both taken as hard capsules by mouth. These medications work by targeting specific proteins that cause the abnormal growth of cancer cells.
The purpose of this research is to determine if starting treatment with Nilotinib is more effective than starting with Imatinib and then switching to Nilotinib if the initial response is not optimal. The study will examine how well these treatments work in helping patients achieve and maintain a treatment-free period where their disease remains under control without ongoing medication.
During the study, which lasts up to 48 months, patients will receive either Nilotinib (up to 600 mg daily) or Imatinib (up to 400 mg daily). Doctors will monitor the amount of cancer cells in the blood throughout the treatment period to determine how well the medications are working. The study will track how many patients can successfully stop treatment while maintaining control of their disease.



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