PURPOSE: Dasatinib is a dual Abl/Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) designed as 
a prototypic short-acting BCR-ABL-targeted TKI that inhibits BCR-ABL with 
greater potency compared with imatinib, nilotinib, bosutinib, and ponatinib and 
has been shown to have potential immunomodulatory effects. Dasatinib is approved 
for the treatment of all phases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and 
Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia resistant or 
intolerant to prior imatinib treatment and first-line treatment for CML in 
chronic phase. In this article, the development of dasatinib as a treatment for 
patients with CML is reviewed.
METHODS: This is a review of the relevant literature regarding dasatinib 
development in CML (2003-2013).
RESULTS: Dasatinib demonstrates efficacy against most BCR-ABL mutations arising 
during imatinib therapy and is effective in treating patients with imatinib 
resistance due to other mechanisms. Randomized trial data show that first-line 
dasatinib provides superior responses compared with imatinib and enables 
patients to achieve early, deep responses correlated with improved longer-term 
outcomes. Dasatinib has a generally acceptable safety profile, with most adverse 
events (AEs) proving manageable and reversible. Cytopenias are commonly observed 
with dasatinib, and some nonhematologic AEs including pleural effusion have been 
consistently reported.
CONCLUSION: Dasatinib is an effective treatment option for patients with CML.