Dasatinib appeared more effective than imatinib mesylate for treatment of children with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, according to results of a randomized phase 3 clinical trial published in JAMA Oncology.

In addition, the dasatinib (Sprycel, Bristol-Myers Squibb) regimen provided excellent control of central nervous system leukemia without the use of prophylactic cranial irradiation, researchers noted.