Dasatinib
Dasatinib is a second-generation BCR::ABL1 pill that, combined with the immunotherapy blinatumomab, can put Ph-positive ALL into deep remission with no chemotherapy at all.
Approved in CML (2006) and Ph+ ALL (resistant, 2006; paediatric frontline with chemotherapy 2018). The GIMEMA D-ALBA trial (dasatinib induction then blinatumomab) achieved 18-month OS 95% and DFS 88% in adults, launching the chemotherapy-free paradigm; long-term follow-up shows ~75% DFS at 4 years, with IKZF1-plus and T315I as the relapse drivers. Generic since 2024.
1.Dasatinib blocks BCR::ABL1 and SRC-family kinases in lymphoblasts
- Route
- Oral
- Schedule
- Ph+ ALL: 140 mg once daily (adult); paediatric weight-based; continue through consolidation and maintenance
- Monitoring
- Pleural effusion, myelosuppression, pulmonary arterial hypertension, QT
Source: US prescribing information (DailyMed). Doses are for orientation; the current label governs.
- Medicare
- Part D (self-administered)
Oral, self-administered, so it is a Part D drug: covered through a stand-alone Part D plan or Medicare Advantage drug benefit, usually on the specialty tier with 25 to 33% coinsurance until the annual cap ($2,000 in 2025, $2,100 in 2026). Generic dasatinib launched in the US in 2024.
- Commercial insurance
- step therapy common
Many commercial plans require generic imatinib first for chronic-phase CML unless there is a documented reason for a second-generation TKI; the generic is now preferred over Sprycel.
- Assistance programmes
- BMS Access Support
- Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation
- PAN Foundation — Disease-specific co-pay and premium funds; open and closed funds change monthly.
- HealthWell Foundation
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation
- Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society financial support
Part D out-of-pocket capped at $2,000 (2025) / $2,100 (2026). Medicare patients cannot use manufacturer co-pay cards; charity funds (PAN, HealthWell, CancerCare) and the Extra Help subsidy are the routes.
Sources: Medicare.gov: Drug coverage (Part D) · Medicare.gov: Costs for Medicare drug coverage (annual out-of-pocket cap). Not medical or financial advice; verify with your plan.
- Appraised for
- CML resistant or intolerant to imatinib
- Notes
- Untreated chronic phase CML: TA425 (2016). Generic since 2021.
- NHS England
- Routinely funded for the appraised indication (or via managed access)
Sources: NICE TA426 · SMC advice: dasatinib. Funding decisions are indication-specific and change monthly; verify with NICE and your treating team.
Approvals
| Region | Year | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| US | 2006 | CML and Ph+ ALL resistant or intolerant to imatinib |
| US | 2018 | Paediatric Ph+ ALL with chemotherapy |
| Adverse event | Any grade | Grade 3+ |
|---|---|---|
| Pleural effusion CML long-term data | 28% | — |
| Myelosuppression Higher in ALL with chemotherapy | — | 50% |
| Pulmonary arterial hypertension Rare, reversible on stopping | — | — |
Rates read from the US prescribing information. Blank cells mean the figure was not sourced, not that it is zero.
Trials
topRecruiting now (live from ClinicalTrials.gov)
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Landmark trials in OnCo
Latest papers
topQuery for this drug: (TITLE:"Dasatinib" OR ABSTRACT:"Dasatinib" OR TITLE:"Sprycel" OR ABSTRACT:"Sprycel") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Dasatinib, not a curated reading list.
Pages like this
not linked directly; found by shared links- ProductAsciminib
Shares Molecular response (MMR, MR4, treatment-free remission), Ph-positive ALL, Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+, BCR::ABL1), IRIS: imatinib versus interferon plus cytarabine as first treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia.
- ProductPonatinib
Shares BCR::ABL1 TKI + blinatumomab (chemotherapy-free Ph+ ALL), Transplant-free Ph-positive ALL for MRD-negative adults, Ph-positive ALL, Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+, BCR::ABL1).
- ProductNilotinib
Shares Molecular response (MMR, MR4, treatment-free remission), IRIS: imatinib versus interferon plus cytarabine as first treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia, BCR::ABL1 (Philadelphia chromosome), Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).
- TrialPhALLCON
Shares BCR::ABL1 TKI + blinatumomab (chemotherapy-free Ph+ ALL), Ph-positive ALL, BCR::ABL1 (Philadelphia chromosome), Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
- ProductBlinatumomab
Shares BCR::ABL1 TKI + blinatumomab (chemotherapy-free Ph+ ALL), D-ALBA (GIMEMA LAL2116), Transplant-free Ph-positive ALL for MRD-negative adults, Ph-positive ALL.
- Key paperFirst imatinib trial: a pill that switched off the enzyme driving chronic myeloid leukaemia
Shares IRIS: imatinib versus interferon plus cytarabine as first treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia, BCR::ABL1 (Philadelphia chromosome), Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).
- PersonBrian Druker
Shares Charles L. Sawyers, BCR::ABL1 (Philadelphia chromosome), Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), Small-molecule kinase inhibitors.
- ProductBosutinib
Shares BCR::ABL1 (Philadelphia chromosome), Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), Small-molecule kinase inhibitors.