Researchers test drug for leukaemia

By FRANCESCA MOLD health reporter

Researchers have revealed fresh hope for leukaemia sufferers in the form of a drug which combats the disease in people who fail to respond to conventional treatment.

A trial comparing Glivac, used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia, with the conventional therapy is under way in Auckland and other centres throughout the world.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia affects adults, and about 280 New Zealanders suffer from it.

Results of an international trial, which found Glivac had improved the condition of 90 per cent of 500 leukaemia sufferers enrolled, were revealed at a conference in the United States yesterday.

An Auckland University associate professor of haemotology, Dr Peter Browett, said Glivac, also known as STI571, was what people had dreamed of in terms of using genetic information to make an anti-cancer treatment.

He said Glivac appeared to control the disease. It would potentially prolong survival and appeared to eradicate the diseased cells.

It was too early to say whether it could be touted as a cure. In chronic myeloid leukaemia sufferers, two chromosomes fuse together, creating a gene called Philadelphia, which tells the white blood cells to proliferate uncontrollably.

When the tablet Glivac is taken, the drug binds to the gene and stops the cells from dividing - blocking the development of the disease. It then begins killing the cancerous cells.

Dr Browett said Glivac controlled the condition, prolonged survival and made sufferers feel better.

It was possible the drug could be combined with other treatments to improve its efficacy, he said.

The trial is comparing the effect of Glivac on patients newly diagnosed with the disease with those on the traditional treatment of Interferon.

New studies are expected to begin early next year. for patients who had the condition for a long period of time.