Glivec® (imatinib) is the first protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, a class of rationally designed drugs that target oncogenic events with unprecedented specificity.1-3 The treatment algorithm shown in Figure 1 demonstrates the use of Glivec as the cornerstone therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Stem-cell transplantation (SCT) can be considered as a further option in appropriate cases. 2 Glivec is the preferred pharmacotherapeutic treatment option for patients with CML at all disease stages, with efficacy superior to previous systemic therapies, and has been demonstrated to be well tolerated in all studies.1-2, 3-4 Glivec is the standard of care for CML in all stages.6
Figure 1. Algorithm for treating chronic myeloid leukemia2
Click on the image to enlarge
References:
1. Druker BJ. Perspectives on the development of a molecularly targeted agent. Cancer Cell. 2002;1:31-36.
2. Peggs K, Mackinnon S. Imatinib mesylate--the new gold standard for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:1048-1050.
3. Druker BJ, Tamura S, Buchdunger E, et al. Effects of a selective inhibitor of the Abl tyrosine kinase on the growth of Bcr-Abl positive cells. Nat Med. 1996;2:561-566.
4. Baccarani M, Saglio G, Goldman J, et al. Evolving concepts in the management of chronic myeloid leukemia. Recommendations from an expert panel on behalf of the European LeukemiaNet. Blood. 2006;108:1809-1820.
5. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in OncologyTM. Available at: www.nccn.org. Accessed July 19, 2006.
6. Giralt SA, Arora M, Goldman JM, et al. Impact of imatinib therapy on the use of allogeneic haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia. Br J Haematol. Apr 24 2007 [Epub ahead of print].
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