Announcing a Patented Remedy for Leukemia
Novartis announced their patented Gleevac® is proving to stop a life-threatening form of leukemia in its tracks (CNN Money, December 9, 2007). Clinical trials have shown significant successes in halting a particular form of the disease known as Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) even into its most advanced stages. 1,100 newly diagnosed patients participated in the study with clinicians following their treatment throughout the course of the disease's progression.
Left untreated, Ph+ chronic myeloid leukemia progresses into advanced stages in three to five years, after which patients typically reach the final "blast crisis phase"—a severe and fatal final stage. Gleevac was shown to stave off the disease's progression when given continuous treatment with Gleevac in the initial stage. Side effects are, of course, numerous and something to be considered. However, side effects notwithstanding, even among those in the late stages Gleevac performed well, indicating that Novartis will likely do well with this patented pharmaceutical drug. See press release for full details.
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