CHRONIC MYELOGENOUS LEUKEMIA INFORMATION
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) can be called chronic granulocytic leukemia or chronic
myeloid leukemia. It is a cancer of the bone marrow, the spongy tissues in the bone responsible
for producing blood cells.
- CML is principally an adult disease with a yearly incidence of 1 in 100,000. Men are affected more
often than women.(3:2). The disease is uncommon in children and forms less than 5% of
childhood leukemias. CML is a clonal stem cell disorder and results from an acquired genetic
defect. CML is not inherited.
- Most patients are diagnosed in the chronic phase and this stage is
- Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) is a drug that kills leukemic cells while keeping normal cells in tact. It
is the first molecular tartget drug in cancer. At the 7 year follow-up of Gleevec therapy in CML
patients, 81% patients remain in remission with a nearly 90% overall survival. On the basis of
these results and the toxicity related to transplant, Gleevec is the first-line CML treatment today.
- The majority of advanced phase patients and a small subset of chronic phase patients may
become resistant to Gleevec or intolerant. For advanced phase patients, a bone marrow
transplant is recommended and chronic phase patients may be treated with two new drugs,
Tasigna from Novartis or Sprycel from Bristol-Myers-Squibb which overcome most Gleevec
resistances and may be more tolerable. The good news is that Gleevec relapse rates fall with
time and after 4 years of therapy, there is very little relapse.
- Currently, a patient on CML drug therapy has to stay on long-term drugs to control disease as
residual disease remains in low quantities even with therapy. However, trials are going on to see
if a small subset of patients with negative PCR results (no sign of leukemia with the most sensitive
testing) can stay off meds indefinitely. Along with that, trials are going on to see if added
Interferon and other drugs which kill quiescent CML cells can bring about a CML cure. The
possibility of one day curing CML, a disease understood very well by doctors and researchers,
looks feasible.
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My name is Anjana and I am a caregiver to my
husband, Roy who was diagnosed with CML in
January, 2002.
I have a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from the
University of Arizona, Tucson and I did my
postdoctoral studies at Oxford University, UK.
From 2002 until now, I have used my background as
a scientist to learn all aspects of CML as a layman.
All that I have learnt, I have placed on this website
in the hope that this knowledge helps others as it
has helped me cope with CML.
I do not have medical qualifications and be sure to
check things out with your treating physician
anything you learn from this website.
My site is a lone venture and not in any way
affiliated to any organization.
husband, Roy who was diagnosed with CML in
January, 2002.
I have a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from the
University of Arizona, Tucson and I did my
postdoctoral studies at Oxford University, UK.
From 2002 until now, I have used my background as
a scientist to learn all aspects of CML as a layman.
All that I have learnt, I have placed on this website
in the hope that this knowledge helps others as it
has helped me cope with CML.
I do not have medical qualifications and be sure to
check things out with your treating physician
anything you learn from this website.
My site is a lone venture and not in any way
affiliated to any organization.
| In 2003, Eva Ratilla from the Philippines (a CML patient) and Anjana Rai-Chaudhuri, from Singapore (a CML spouse), two scientists, formed the Asian CML Support Group, which now has over 900 CML patients and caregivers from all over the world. Patients from USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, India, Philippines, Canada and many other countries share their CML experiences. If you are a CML patient or caregiver, do join us by clicking on our link! |
| Anjana and Eva |
