Gleevec marks 25 years since FDA approval for CML treatment
Updated
Updated · KGW.com · May 10
Gleevec marks 25 years since FDA approval for CML treatment
6 articles · Updated · KGW.com · May 10
Developed at Oregon Health & Science University by Dr Brian Druker and approved in 2001, the once-daily pill has helped millions, with some patients still alive 25 years later.
Druker said CML patients once faced three to five years to live, but now many can expect normal lifespans; 20-30% show no detectable leukemia and about half of those stop therapy.
The drug helped pioneer targeted cancer therapies that attack cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, as Druker says research now focuses on earlier detection, prevention and ultimately curing CML.
After Gleevec's 25-year reign, can new drugs finally conquer treatment resistance and lifelong side effects?
What is the key to letting more cancer survivors safely stop lifelong medication without fear of relapse?
A new blood test can detect 50 cancers; what's the main hurdle to it becoming a routine check-up?
25 Years of Gleevec: How Targeted Therapy Transformed CML Survival, Quality of Life, and Global Access
Overview
Gleevec (imatinib) received groundbreaking FDA approval in 2001, revolutionizing the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and transforming it from a fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition for many patients. However, challenges remain, as some patients develop resistance or intolerance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), leading to inadequate disease control or adverse events that require treatment changes or discontinuation. Dose reductions and interruptions are especially common with second-generation TKIs. In response, the field continues to advance with new therapies like asciminib, aiming to improve efficacy and safety for CML patients.