PHASE II STUDY SUGGESTS GLEEVEC IS SAFE FOR TREATMENT OF RELAPSED CML

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, patients who relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) may be safely and effectively treated with Gleevec (imatinib-mesylate).

CML, also called chronic granulocytic leukemia, is a cancer of the white blood cells. The bone marrow contains early blood-forming cells called stem cells. These grow and mature into three blood cell types: red blood cells (which provide oxygen to tissues), platelets (which aid in blood clotting) and white blood cells (which fight infection).

CML begins with a chronic phase, during which few clinical problems, if any, occur. However, if left untreated, the chronic phase progresses into acute phases characterized by fast-growing and aggressive cancer. These phases are called the accelerated and blastic phases. Patients reaching these acute phases have a poor prognosis for long-term survival.