Test Now Available to Detect Resistance to Gleevec® in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Posted by rob on February 23, 2006 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Genzyme Corporation has announced that they have just made a test available to the public that can detect whether a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is resistant to treatment with Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate).

Gleevec is the standard treatment for patients with newly diagnosed CML. Over 90% of patients respond well to initial treatment with long-term benefit. However, 5-10% ultimately develop resistance, which is apparently due to secondary mutations of BCR-ABL. The new BCR-ABL Mutation Analysis test may help determine whether a patient is resistant to Gleevec. It tests for specific mutations that are present when a patient does not respond to Gleevec.

Comments: At the present time it is not clear how clinically useful the determination of specific mutations will be in the treatment of Gleevec resistant CML. Understanding of the mechanisms of resistance has led to the development of agents such as dasatinib and AMN107. However, the current paucity of agents available for the treatment of Gleevec resistant disease may limit the clinical utility of specific tests. AT the present time empiric treatment with available drugs is probably the only way to manage Gleevec resistant patients. The BCR-ABL Mutation Analysis may, however, provide insight into disease resistance.

Reference: Genzyme Corporation. Genzyme Launches Key Test To Monitor Gleevec® Resistance. Available at: http://www.genzyme.com/corp/media/GENZ%20PR-020906.asp#TopOfPage. Accessed February 2006.

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Test Now Available to Detect Resistance to Gleevec® in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia