Gleevec, a Cancer Drug Developed Through Clinical Trials, Continues to Save Lives Decades After Approval
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Mel Mann, diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 1995, participated in clinical trials for the experimental drug imatinib, which later became Gleevec. The drug, which targets a specific genetic abnormality, received FDA approval in 2001 after showing remarkable efficacy in trials. Mann, now 69, exemplifies the drug's long-term success.
Facts First
- Mel Mann participated in Gleevec clinical trials after a 1995 leukemia diagnosis
- Gleevec targets the Philadelphia chromosome abnormality to control white blood cell growth
- The drug received FDA approval in 2001 after a 72-day review
- Every patient in high-dose trials responded within six months with generally mild side effects
- Gleevec is now available as a generic costing a few hundred dollars a year
What Happened
Mel Mann was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in January 1995 at age 37. After experiencing six months of back pain, an MRI revealed bone marrow issues. Mann began participating in clinical trials for experimental drugs after his diagnosis and started taking imatinib, the compound that became Gleevec, in August 1998 as part of a trial. By June 1999, he ran a marathon in Anchorage, Alaska. The drug Gleevec received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on May 10, 2001, following a 72-day review process.
Why this Matters to You
If you or a loved one are diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, you now have access to a highly effective, targeted treatment that is available as a generic drug. This means the cost of treatment could be a few hundred dollars a year, compared to its initial price of $26,000. The development of Gleevec represents a model for future cancer drug research that may lead to more precise and tolerable therapies for other conditions.
What's Next
The story of Gleevec demonstrates that targeted therapies... can transform a fatal disease into a manageable condition. This model is likely to continue influencing cancer drug development. For patients like Mel Mann, who is now 69, the long-term success of such treatments offers a sustained possibility for health and active life.