Abstract 4940: Demographic trends in chronic myelogenous leukemia in adults in the United States between 1999 and 2020
Authors: Saad Rashid, Zeeshan Muzammil, Taqi Khaja
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) represents about 15% of new leukemia cases annually in the United States (US), predominantly affecting older adults with a median diagnosis age of 64. Despite advances in treatment leading to a 5-year survival rate exceeding 70%, disparities in CML mortality persist. This study examines demographic differences and trends in CML mortality from 1999 to 2020 in the US. We accessed mortality data for CML (ICD-10 code C92.1) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wonder Database from 1999 to 2020. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were calculated per 100, 000 deaths and stratified by sex (male, female), race (White, African American), and adult age groups. Temporal trends were analyzed using Joinpoint regression software to calculate the annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) to identify shifts over time. Statistical significance was set at p &amp;lt;0.05. Between 1999 and 2020, CML accounted for 26, 329 deaths in the US, with the overall AAMR decreasing by 50%. Gender-specific trends revealed reductions in mortality for males and females. Among females, the AAMR declined from 0.5 in 1999 to 0.2 by 2007 (APC of -10.6% from 1999 to 2008, p &amp;lt; 0.01). For males, the AAMR decreased from 0.8 in 1999 to 0.4 by 2007 (AAPC of -8.9%, p &amp;lt; 0.01). Racial comparisons show that African Americans' AAMR decreased from 0.7 in 1999 to 0.35 by 2008 (APC of -8.5%, p &amp;lt; 0.01). White Americans saw a larger reduction, with AAMR declining from 0.65 in 1999 to 0.3 by 2007 (APC -10.0%, p &amp;lt; 0.01). Age-specific analyses highlighted decreases in mortality across adult age groups. For individuals aged 45-54, AAMR declined from 0.5 in 1999 to 0.35 by 2020 (APC of -21.2% from 1999 to 2004, p &amp;lt; 0.05). For the 55-64 age group, AAMR decreased from 1.0 in 1999 to 0.4 by 2020 (APC of -11.9%, p &amp;lt; 0.05). The 65-74 age group experienced a decline in AAMR from 2.25 in 1999 to 0.8 by 2008 (APC of -11.0% from 1999 to 2007, p &amp;lt; 0.05). In contrast, the 75-84 age group initially saw an increase in AAMR from 2.4 in 1999 to a peak of 3.8 in 2006, followed by a decrease to 2.25 by 2011. This group exhibited an APC of +19.5% from 2003 to 2006 (p &amp;lt; 0.05), followed by a decline of -10.4% from 2006 to 2011 (p &amp;lt; 0.05). The oldest group aged 85 years+, had an AAMR of 5.25 in 1999, which decreased to 4.7 by 2020 but remained higher than other age groups. While mortality from CML in the US has decreased, disparities persist among demographic groups. Older individuals, males, and African Americans exhibit higher mortality rates compared to younger individuals, females, and White Americans. These disparities may result from age-related comorbidities, differential treatment responses, and barriers to timely care among males, and limited healthcare access and socioeconomic disadvantages faced by African Americans. Addressing these disparities through targeted interventions and equitable healthcare access is crucial for further reducing CML mortality. Citation Format: Saad Rashid, Zeeshan Muzammil, Taqi Khaja. Demographic trends in chronic myelogenous leukemia in adults in the United States between 1999 and 2020 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 4940.