Targeted inhibition of BCR-ABL with imatinib mesylate has become the standard therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) where it induces a complete cytogenetic response in more than 80% of newly diagnosed patients.1 A recent 8-year follow-up of IRIS study showed an overall survival (OS) of 85% and event-free survival (EFS) of 81%.2 Several years after the introduction of imatinib in clinical practice no significant major incidence of infections was reported. The gene discussed is ABL1; the disease is chronic myelogenous leukemia, BCR-ABL1 positive.