How does Glivec work in CML?
Glivec is a unique therapy that specifically targets the cause of CML. As mentioned earlier, with CML there is a constant signal that tells the body to keep producing abnormal white blood cells. Glivec works by blocking, or turning off, that signal so the extra white blood cells are not made. This is the first time a therapy has targeted the cause of CML. This is a very important difference from other types of therapy. BMT destroys most of the cells in a patient’s bone marrow (cancer cells and healthy cells). Side effects can be severe. Chemotherapy enters the bloodstream and destroys as many cells as possible—again, cancer cells and healthy cells. Patients receiving certain types of chemotherapy also have many side effects and are sometimes forced to stop their treatment. Glivec, on the other hand, targets the signal that produces leukaemic cells, so most healthy cells are left unharmed. Most patients receiving Glivec do not have major problems with side effects.
Related Questions
- Diagnosis and Treatment With Glivec 2.1 When is the optimal point in the treatment of CML patients to use Glivec therapy, especially in relation to SCT?
- Is there evidence to substantiate the use Glivec as first-line treatment in CML?
- CML Response to Glivec 3.1 How quickly will a patient respond to Glivec?
