Study: Cancer Drug Gleevec Has Heart Risk
Posted on: Monday, 24 July 2006, 15:00 CDT
U.S. scientists say the cancer-fighting drug Gleevec -- remarkably successful in treating leukemia -- can lead to heart failure in some patients.
Researchers who conducted the study recommend patients taking Gleevec be monitored for heart-failure symptoms, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, noting the scientists also urge similar drugs in development be tested for evidence for heart toxicity.
Gleevec is a targeted therapy, designed to attack only cancerous cells, while avoiding tissue damage in the rest of the body.
Dr. Jean-Bernard Durand, a cardiologist at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and an author of the study told The Journal that unlike chemotherapy, The idea was that (targeted therapies) would limit collateral damage, when in fact we're finding that other tissues can be affected by this model.
Novartis AG, which manufactures Gleevec, said clinical trials and other studies have shown the incidence of heart failure involving Gleevec is extremely rare.
The study appears in the journal Nature Medicine.
Source: United Press International
Related Articles
- Government Halts Chelation Heart Disease Study
- American Heart Journals Publishes Results From ERATO Trial Showing Dronedarone (Multaq(R)) Improves Ventricular Rate Control in Patients With Permanent Atrial Fibrillation
- Epix Initiates Phase IIb Right-Heart Catheterization Study of PRX-08066
- Heart-Drug Study Reverts to Original Path
- Abdominal Fat Distribution Predicts Heart Disease: Study
- Impotence could be sign of heart disease: study
- MERLIN TIMI-36 Study Design Published in American Heart Journal
- Doctor Refines Heart Attack Study
- Antidepressants stop repeat heart attacks-study
- Heart Rates Can Indicate Risk of Sudden Heart Death: Study
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds