An expert discusses how National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend first-line chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatments including imatinib, nilotinib, and newer agents, emphasizing the importance of close monitoring through weekly laboratory tests and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to track BCR::ABL1 transcript levels and ensure patients meet critical milestones at 3, 6, and 12 months.