Which medication is commonly used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)?

Imatinib is commonly used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) because it specifically targets the BCR-ABL fusion protein that results from the Philadelphia chromosome translocation. This fusion protein is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase that drives the proliferation of myeloid cells, leading to the characteristic features of CML. Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that effectively blocks this protein's activity, thereby reducing cell division and inducing apoptosis in leukemic cells.

By inhibiting the signals that promote the growth of the malignant cells, imatinib significantly improves patients' outcomes, making it a cornerstone of CML treatment. Other medications listed, such as nilotinib and dasatinib, are also used for CML, especially in cases where imatinib resistance develops or in certain specific patient populations. However, imatinib remains the first-line treatment due to its established efficacy and safety profile. Hydroxyurea is not specific to CML and is generally used to manage hyperleukocytosis or symptoms rather than as a targeted therapy for the underlying disease.