Because of many unseen obstacles resulted in poor accrual, study is terminated.

whether Nilotinib at the two sequential dosage forms will induce quicker and deeper response in those patients, and if FISH on PB (Peripheral blood) would be an effective way to monitor response compared to conventional cytogenetics on bone marrow (BM) sample

This is a multicenter, open label trial which will be conducted within Kingdom of saudi Arabia for which CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) patients who meet eligibility criteria and showing sub optimal response to Imatinib therapy as per European leukemia Net ELN 2013 guidelines will be recruited and switched to Nilotinib 300 mg twice a day therapy.

Efficacy assessments of hematologic and cytogenetic response and disease progression, will be performed every 6 months at a minimum, including hematologic analysis, bone marrow cytogenetics, and molecular studies to ensure that nilotinib is being provided to patients who were responding and that patients who progressed could discontinue therapy.

Safety assessments include evaluation of adverse events, hematologic assessment, biochemical testing, cardiac enzyme assessment, serial electrocardiogram evaluation, and physical examination. Adverse events are graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0. Survival will be dated from start of nilotinib therapy until death from any cause and censored at last follow-up for patients who were alive.

The data will be summarized with respect to demographic and baseline characteristics, efficacy evaluation, and safety observations and measurements.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent prior to any study procedures being performed.
2. Age 18 or above of male or female CML patients in chronic phase.
3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ECOG Performance status 0, 1 or 2
4. Sub-optimal response on Imatinib therapy as determined by any of the following criteria: 4.1) Minor cytogenetic response mCyR or minimal response at 3 months (Ph+ metaphases in BM 35 to 95 %) 4.2) BCR-ABL1 transcript >10% at 3 months; 4.3) Partial cytogenetic response PCyR at 6 months; (i.e Ph+ metaphases in BM 0 to 35%) 4.4) BCR-ABL1 transcript 1 - 10% at 6 months 4.5) Less than a major molecular response at > 12 months; i.e (BCR-ABL1 0.1 - 1%)
5. Normal serum levels of potassium, magnesium and calcium ≥ LLN (lower limit of normal) or corrected to within normal limits with supplements, prior to the first dose of study medication,
6. Aspartate aminotransferase AST and Alanine aminotransferase ALT ≤ 2.5 x ULN (upper limit of normal)
7. Alkaline phosphatase ≥ 2.5 x ULN
8. Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN;
9. Serum amylase ≤ 1.5 x ULN Performance status ECOG 0,1,2

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous Exposure to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) other than Imatinib for more than 2 weeks
2. Patients who are already participating in any other clinical trial.Patients who were not compliant to Imatinib therapy.
3. Optimal response to Imatinib therapy as determined by any one of the criteria: 3.1. CCyR or PCyR at 3 months (Ph+ metaphases in BM ≤ 35 %). 3.2. BCR-ABL1 transcript ≤ 10 % at 3 months. 3.3. CCyR at 6 months (Ph+ metaphases in BM 0 %). 3.4. BCR-ABL1 transcript < 1% at 6 months. 3.5. BCR-ABL1 transcript ≤ 0.1 % at 12 months. 3.6. BCR-ABL1 transcript ≤ 0.1 % at any time.
4. Failure response to Imatinib therapy as per ELN guidelines 2013 as determined by any of the criteria: 4.1. Non- complete hematologic response (Non- CHR) or no cytogenetic response CyR at 3 months (Ph+ metaphases in BM > 95 %). 4.2. Less than Partial cytogenetic response PCyR at 6 months (Ph+ metaphases in BM > 35%). 4.3. BCR-ABL1 transcript >10 % at 6 months. 4.4. Less than complete cytogenetic response CCyR at 12 months (Ph+ metaphases in BM > 0 %). 4.5. BCR-ABL1 transcript >1 % at 12 months. 4.6. Loss of CHR or loss of CCyR or confirmed loss of MMR* or development of partially imatinib - sensitive BCR-ABL mutation or CCA in Ph- positive cells at any time.
5. Pregnant or lactating females
6. Patients with prolonged QT intervals
7. Patient with history of pancreatitis
8. Previously documented T315I mutations;
9. Uncontrolled congestive heart failure or hypertension;
10. Myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris within past 12 months;
11. Significant arrhythmias, including history or presence of clinically significant ventricular or atrial tachyarrhythmias, clinically -significant bradycardias, long QT syndrome and/or corrected QT interval (QTc) > 450 msec on screening ECG. Patients with complete LBBB (Left Bundle Branch Block);
12. Patients concurrently on strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.
13. Other concurrent uncontrolled medical conditions (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes, active or uncontrolled infections, acute or chronic liver and renal disease) that could cause unacceptable safety risks or compromise compliance with the protocol;
14. Impaired gastrointestinal function or GI disease that may alter the absorption of study drug (e.g. ulcerative disease, uncontrolled nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome, small bowel resection or gastric by-pass surgery);
15. Patients with another primary malignancy that is currently clinically significant or requires active intervention.