Gleevec side effects and other leukemia news

[Guest guest]

Some of this information is current as of a few days ago, so you may want to

print it or file it for future use.

I know most of us who have been or are still on Gleevec usually look to the

Novartis site, but I found this site from Mayo Clinic that is more in depth.

Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with

your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking

this medicine: blistering, peeling, loosening of skin, chills, cough, diarrhea,

fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, red skin lesions, sore throat, sores,

ulcers, white spots in mouth or on lips, or unusual tiredness or weakness .

www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601855

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New research shows that Gleevec, a cancer drug used to treat chronic myelogenous

leukemia (CML) and certain types of stomach tumors, also has potential as a

treatment for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Stanford

University researchers published their findings online Sept. 14 issue of the

Journal of Clinical Investigation. The study will be published in the October

print edition of the journal.

http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/2334/drug-ra/

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In this study, Grant and colleagues examined the effects of combining MK-0457

with vorinostat, a novel targeted agent that has recently been approved for the

treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. They found that this combination leads

to a dramatic induction of apoptosis, or programmed cell death in CML cells,

including imatinib-resistant cells bearing the T315I or other mutations. The

article was pre-published as a First Edition Paper in Blood, the journal of the

American Society of Hematology, which appeared online May 27.

This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, the V Foundation, and the Department

of Defense. Merck Pharmaceuticals supplied the agents tested in the preclinical

studies. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/109347.php

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

What if a way could be found to reprogram cancerous cells back into normal

cells? A team of Syracuse University researchers believes it may have found a

way to do just that. Led by Cosgrove, assistant professor of biology in

SU's College of Arts and Sciences, the team discovered a way to disrupt the

protein switch that is a critical component in the process to create white blood

cells. Its discoveries could lead to a more effective way to treat some forms of

leukemia and revolutionize the approach to treating other forms of cancer. The

research was recently published online in the prestigious Journal of Biological

Chemistry of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and is

forthcoming in the print edition. " We believe our discovery is just the tip of

the iceberg, " Cosgrove says. " Our hope is that from the knowledge we have gained

in understanding how these proteins work in normal cells, we will be able to

find new ways to treat all types of leukemia. We also think the discoveries will

have broad implications in treating other types of cancer. " All of the cells in

the body begin as stem cells with the same DNA.

Cosgrove earned a Ph.D. at Syracuse University and was a postdoctoral researcher

at the s Hopkins School of Medicine and Cornell University.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/127301.php

----------------------------------------------------------

OCTOBER 28, 2008 ARIAD's second oncology product candidate, AP24534, is an

investigational oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has broad

potential applications in cancer. In preclinical studies, AP24534 has

demonstrated potent inhibition of kinase targets associated with drug-resistant

chronic myeloid leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, as well as proliferation

and angiogenesis in multiple solid tumors. In addition to an ongoing Phase 1

clinical study in hematological malignancies, further clinical development in

patients with solid tumors is expected to begin in 2009. Additional information

about the ongoing clinical trial can be found at

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00660920?term=AP24534 & rank=1.

FYI,

Lottie

[Guest guest]

>

> Some of this information is current as of a few days ago, so you

may want to print it or file it for future use.

> I know most of us who have been or are still on Gleevec usually

look to the Novartis site, but I found this site from Mayo Clinic that

is more in depth.

> Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with this

medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the

following symptoms while taking this medicine: blistering, peeling,

loosening of skin, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or

muscle pain, red skin lesions, sore throat, sores, ulcers, white spots

in mouth or on lips, or unusual tiredness or weakness .

www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601855

> ------------------------------------------------------------------

> New research shows that Gleevec, a cancer drug used to treat chronic

myelogenous leukemia (CML) and certain types of stomach tumors, also

has potential as a treatment for autoimmune diseases such as

rheumatoid arthritis. Stanford University researchers published their

findings online Sept. 14 issue of the Journal of Clinical

Investigation. The study will be published in the October print

edition of the journal.

http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/38/2334/drug-ra/

> ----------------------------------------------------------------

> In this study, Grant and colleagues examined the effects of

combining MK-0457 with vorinostat, a novel targeted agent that has

recently been approved for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

They found that this combination leads to a dramatic induction of

apoptosis, or programmed cell death in CML cells, including

imatinib-resistant cells bearing the T315I or other mutations. The

article was pre-published as a First Edition Paper in Blood, the

journal of the American Society of Hematology, which appeared online

May 27.

> This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of

Health, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, the V

Foundation, and the Department of Defense. Merck Pharmaceuticals

supplied the agents tested in the preclinical studies.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/109347.php

>

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

> What if a way could be found to reprogram cancerous cells back into

normal cells? A team of Syracuse University researchers believes it

may have found a way to do just that. Led by Cosgrove,

assistant professor of biology in SU's College of Arts and Sciences,

the team discovered a way to disrupt the protein switch that is a

critical component in the process to create white blood cells. Its

discoveries could lead to a more effective way to treat some forms of

leukemia and revolutionize the approach to treating other forms of

cancer. The research was recently published online in the prestigious

Journal of Biological Chemistry of the American Society for

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and is forthcoming in the print

edition. " We believe our discovery is just the tip of the iceberg, "

Cosgrove says. " Our hope is that from the knowledge we have gained in

understanding how these proteins work in normal cells, we will be able

to find new ways to treat all types of leukemia. We also think the

discoveries will have broad implications in treating other types of

cancer. " All of the cells in the body begin as stem cells with the

same DNA.

> Cosgrove earned a Ph.D. at Syracuse University and was a

postdoctoral researcher at the s Hopkins School of Medicine and

Cornell University.

> http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/127301.php

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> OCTOBER 28, 2008 ARIAD's second oncology product candidate,

AP24534, is an investigational oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase

inhibitor that has broad potential applications in cancer. In

preclinical studies, AP24534 has demonstrated potent inhibition of

kinase targets associated with drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia

and acute myeloid leukemia, as well as proliferation and angiogenesis

in multiple solid tumors. In addition to an ongoing Phase 1 clinical

study in hematological malignancies, further clinical development in

patients with solid tumors is expected to begin in 2009. Additional

information about the ongoing clinical trial can be found at

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00660920?term=AP24534 & rank=1.

> FYI,

> Lottie

>

>

>

> Hi,

I have been on 400 mg. of Gleevec since March 1, 2006 for CML. When

my leukemia was discovered during my yearly physical my white blood

count was 65,000 and now it is staying under 10,000 and I weighed 100

lbs. I've gained 30 pounds and am 5 " tall and have really had to

change sizes in all my clothes. I stay very tired, sleepy, cold and

have alot of bone pain. I am still experiencing all the side effects

even though I've been on it for along time. I never know when it will

make me sick, but I've discovered its best to take at night and not to

take with a meal that has any meat in it (if I do I get sick and start

throwing up). I look like I've aged about 10 yrs. since I started the

Gleevec. My hair came back very coarse and frizzy and I keep it

colored to make it look thicker. My skin is so dry it scales off like

a fish (no matter how much lotion I use); its worse on my shoulders,

back, legs and feet. I've discovered Cetaphil soap helps with the dry

skin some. I take 20 mg. Lasix for fluid retention which doesn't

really help that much but I did loose 6 lbs. overnight when I first

started taking it.

> For the muscle cramps I drink tonic water with quinine. I've always

been chronic anemic all my life and now get Aranesp shots every 4

weeks to help build up my red blood count which helps. I always wear

a mask in public but still catch everything that everyone has. I want

anyone who has CML to feel free to contact me about anything. I feel

like I could write a book but don't have time since I spend alot of

time with my 87 yr. old father-in-law and my 76 yr. old daddy. My

husband just had his 2nd cornea transplant due to loosing his eyesight

in his left eye due to shingles in 1998. We are both just mentally

and physcially drained due to our health problems but thank GOD each

day that he has given these doctors the knowledge to do what they can do.

Oh, my name is Demetria, I'm 53 and a nana of 7. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi All,

> One thing that I have taken even before CML (April of 2006) is Omega

3, 6 and 9 tablets (Nordic Naturals 800-662-2544). I don't have

problems with dry skin, although I live in Boise, ID which is very

dry. My hairdresser has commented on how health my hair is and what

was I doing differently (been going to her for 6 to 7 years). I am

wondering if anyone else takes Omega oils and if they find them

helpful for the dry skin problems people are having with their

medication. Omega oils are suppose to support healthy skin, flexible

joints and strong immune functions. Just a thought!

> Bernadette

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: Zavie <zmiller@...>

>

> Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 9:07:10 PM

> Subject: RE: [ ] Re: Gleevec side effects and other leukemia news

>

>

> Hi Demetria,

>

> Welcome to the group.

>

> Sorry to hear that you have all these side effects on Gleevec. Has your

> doctor suggested trying one of the other drugs?

>

> Where are you located and do you see one of the CML experts?

>

> I'm always looking for new Zero Club members. Can you tell us at

what level

> of remission you're at? You just need to be at CCR to get a number.

>

> Zavie

>

>

> Zavie (age 70)

> 67 Shoreham Avenue

> Ottawa, Canada, K2G 3X3

> dxd AUG/99

> INF OCT/99 to FEB/00, CHF

> No meds FEB/00 to JAN/01

> Gleevec since MAR/27/01 (400 mg)

> CCR SEP/01. #102 in Zero Club

> 2.8 log reduction Sep/05

> 3.0 log reduction Jan/06

> 2.9 log reduction Feb/07

> 3.6 log reduction Apr/08

> 3.6 log reduction Sep/08

> e-mail: zmillersympatico (DOT) ca

> Tel: 613-726-1117

> Fax: 309-296-0807

> Cell: 613-282-0204

> ID: zaviem

> YM: zaviemiller

> Skype: Zavie

> Hi,

> I have been on 400 mg. of Gleevec since March 1, 2006 for CML. When

> my leukemia was discovered during my yearly physical my white blood

> count was 65,000 and now it is staying under 10,000 and I weighed 100

> lbs. I've gained 30 pounds and am 5 " tall and have really had to

> change sizes in all my clothes. I stay very tired, sleepy, cold and

> have alot of bone pain. I am still experiencing all the side effects

> even though I've been on it for along time. I never know when it will

> make me sick, but I've discovered its best to take at night and not to

> take with a meal that has any meat in it (if I do I get sick and start

> throwing up). I look like I've aged about 10 yrs. since I started the

> Gleevec. My hair came back very coarse and frizzy and I keep it

> colored to make it look thicker. My skin is so dry it scales off like

> a fish (no matter how much lotion I use); its worse on my shoulders,

> back, legs and feet. I've discovered Cetaphil soap helps with the dry

> skin some. I take 20 mg. Lasix for fluid retention which doesn't

> really help that much but I did loose 6 lbs. overnight when I first

> started taking it.

> > For the muscle cramps I drink tonic water with quinine. I've always

> been chronic anemic all my life and now get Aranesp shots every 4

> weeks to help build up my red blood count which helps. I always wear

> a mask in public but still catch everything that everyone has. I want

> anyone who has CML to feel free to contact me about anything. I feel

> like I could write a book but don't have time since I spend alot of

> time with my 87 yr. old father-in-law and my 76 yr. old daddy. My

> husband just had his 2nd cornea transplant due to loosing his eyesight

> in his left eye due to shingles in 1998. We are both just mentally

> and physcially drained due to our health problems but thank GOD each

> day that he has given these doctors the knowledge to do what they

can do.

> Oh, my name is Demetria, I'm 53 and a nana of 7. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

>

> .

> I am located in McMinnville, TN and my Oncologist, Dr.

Toomey, wants to keep me on Gleevec since I'm doing so well on it and

says I'll have the side effects and all as long as I'm on it. He

comes to McMinnville every week from Summit, TN. My stem cell

specialist is Dr. Kassim at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN he also wants

to keep me on the Gleevec. All I know is I'm considered in remission

and still half to continue everything I'm doing (I didn't know there

was a level to remission). Dr. Kassim recommends all his patients

wear masks for protection and tells me by wearing it, it has possibly

kept me out of the hospital for the past 2 1/2 yrs. since I have no

immune system.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>