Imatinib/Glivec developed by Novartis
Established into clinical practice by Druker, Gambacorti-Passerini and Goldman
You might have missed the fact that 22nd September was International CML day. This year was actually a pretty special celebration. 25 years ago the first truly targeted cancer therapy was approved by the FDA for clinical use. Imatinib was the original tyrosine inhibitor, targeting the Bcr-Abl molecular pathway and resulting in programmed cell death in certain cancers, CML being the most significant. Prior to Imatinib the 5 year survival of CML was only 25%, after it the whole of life survival became 97%. With the development of second and third generation TKIs over 20% of CML patients achieve complete molecular response, with 50% of those able to completely wean from therapy. Bcr-Abl targeting TKIs came into my life 6 years ago this month. After a few setbacks, I have been fortunate enough to achieve complete molecular response on the third generation drug Asciminib. Amazingly for a cancer therapy, the first patient to take Imatinib in a 1998 clinical trial is also still alive and disease free. #twentfiveyearsofhope #letsmakelemonade
Pen Paint and Scalpel 