Joanna - Thank you for providing this information about Gleevec. As a CML survivor who takes Gleevec on a daily basis I'm grateful to the team of scientists who developed it and glad that it is proving viable for other cancers.
While it does come in tablet form, it should be understood that this is an extremely powerful targeted drug therapy for cancer patients, and is essentially chemotherapy in tablet form. Gleevec was both approved by the FDA in 2001 and on the cover of TIME magazine due to the "miracle" and the life-saving properties it brings to blood cancer patients.
I would strongly advise any person who is taking Gleevec to 1) be sure that their physician is a specialist in their specific condition who is thoroughly familiar with this drug and the follow up tests needed to accurately measure results and 2) join a patient support group so that you can obtain in-depth information on how to manage the side effects from this drug. Compliance is critical, and there are many ways to mitigate the side effects, which can be debilitating.
I would also be happy to answer questions readers may have, either through this post or via direct private message.
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Joanna - Thank you for providing this information about Gleevec. As a CML survivor who takes Gleevec on a daily basis I'm grateful to the team of scientists who developed it and glad that it is proving viable for other cancers.
While it does come in tablet form, it should be understood that this is an extremely powerful targeted drug therapy for cancer patients, and is essentially chemotherapy in tablet form. Gleevec was both approved by the FDA in 2001 and on the cover of TIME magazine due to the "miracle" and the life-saving properties it brings to blood cancer patients.
I would strongly advise any person who is taking Gleevec to 1) be sure that their physician is a specialist in their specific condition who is thoroughly familiar with this drug and the follow up tests needed to accurately measure results and 2) join a patient support group so that you can obtain in-depth information on how to manage the side effects from this drug. Compliance is critical, and there are many ways to mitigate the side effects, which can be debilitating.
I would also be happy to answer questions readers may have, either through this post or via direct private message.
Pat Elliott
March 2, 2010 - 6:31pmEmpowHer Cancer Guide
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