Table 1 Summary of discontinuation studies published as full papers or in abstract form, with MR levels required for inclusion and for the definition of relapse

STIM 1 [5]

Imatinib (1st line or after IFN) for 3 years

CMR (undetectable transcript) for ≥ 2 years

Loss of CMR or ≥ 1-log increase in BCR-ABL

39% @ 77 months

STIM 2 [6]

Imatinib (1st line or after IFN) for ≥ 3 years

As for STIM

As for STIM

61% @ 12 months

TWISTER [7]

Imatinib (1st line or after IFN) for ≥ 3 years

Undetectable transcript for ≥ 2 years

Loss of MMR or confirmed loss of MR^4.5

42.7% @ 24 months

A-STIM [8]

Imatinib (1st line) for ≥ 3 years

As for STIM; occasional positive samples eligible

Loss of MMR

61% @ 36 months

KIDS [9]

Imatinib (1st line or after IFN)

Undetectable transcript for ≥ 2 years

Loss of MMR

58.5% @ 24 months

JALSG-STIM213 [10]

Imatinib (1st line or after IFN)

MR⁴ for ≥ 24 months (4 PCR)

Loss of MMR

67.6% @ 12 months

ISAV [11]

Imatinib (1st line or after IFN)

Undetectable transcript for ≥ 18 months (3 PCRs)

Loss of MMR

52% @ 22 months

EUROSKI [12]

Imatinib (1st line or after IFN), dasatinib, nilotinib

MR⁴ for ≥ 1 year; TKI for ≥ 3 years

Loss of MMR

50% @ 24 months

STOP 2G-TKI [13]

Nilotinib or dasatinib (2nd line)

Undetectable transcript for ≥ 2 years

Loss of MMR

63.3% @ 12 months

DADI [14]

Dasatinib (2nd line)

MR⁴ for ≥ 1 year (4 PCR)

Loss of MR⁴

44.4% @ 36 months

ENEST freedom [15, 16]

Nilotinib (1st line)

MR^4.5 for ≥ 2 years

Loss of MMR

48.9% @ 96 weeks

ENESTop [17]

Nilotinib (2nd line, after imatinib)

MR^4.5 for ≥ 2 years

Confirmed loss of MR^4.0or any loss of MMR

53.2% @ 96 weeks

DESTINY [18]

Imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib (50% de-escalation for 12 months, then stop)

At least stable MMR for 12 months (3 PCR) and stable response under half standard dose for 12 months

Loss of MMR

73% in pts. with stable MR⁴; 41% in pts with stable MMR

D-STOP [19]

Dasatinib as consolidation for 2 years

MR⁴ for ≥ 2 years

Loss of confirmed MR⁴

62.9% @ 12 months

DASFREE [20]

Dasatinib (1st or subsequent line)

MR^4.5 for ≥ 1 year

Loss of MMR

48% @ 18 months

TRAD [21]

Dasatinib rechallenge and discontinuation after imatinib discontinuation (second-stop)

MR^4.5 for ≥ 2 years

Loss of MR⁴ on 2 consecutive occasions or loss of MMR on 1 occasion

21.5% @ 6 months

NILSt [22]

Nilotinib (1st line or after imatinib)

MR^4.5 for 2 years

Loss of MR^4.5

61% @ 12 months

LAST [23]

Imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, or bosutinib

MR⁴ for ≥ 2 years

Loss of MMR

60% @ 12 months

STAT2 [24]

Nilotinib as consolidation for 2 years

MR^4.5 for 2 years

Confirmed loss of MR^4.5

67.9% @ 12 months

ENESTpath [25]

Nilotinib (2nd line, after imatinib)

Randomized MR^4.5 for ≥ 1 year vs ≥ 2 year

Confirmed loss of MR⁴ or any loss of MMR

In progress

ENESTGoal [26]

Nilotinib (2nd line, after imatinib)

MR^4.5 for ≥ 1 year

Confirmed loss of MR⁴ or any loss of MMR

In progress

CML V [27] (TIGER)

Randomized nilotinib vs nilotinib + pegIFN (1st line)

MR⁴ for ≥ 1 year

Loss of MMR

In progress