My Purpose:

Welcome! The purpose of this site is to provide information on a new drug for the treatment of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). Gleevec (STI571) is manufactured by Novartis, currently the second largest drug company in the World, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. It was officially named "Gleevec" on April 17, 2001 and  was previously called Glivec, STI571 and CGP57148B. There are many articles using these previous designations in the literature. Most of the information contained herein is anecdotal, rather than being authoritative, so it should be used cautiously. I have gathered the data from the Internet, and by talking with Doctors involved in the trials, as well as CML patients who are participating in the trials and their families . This site is unofficial and not affiliated with Novartis or any Medical Institution or Doctor. Nothing contained herein is intended to suggest any treatment to any patient. It is strictly a personal compilation of the available data on the drug. All decisions about treatments for a medical condition should be made after discussion with a qualified physician. Gleevec was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prescription sale in the United States on May 10, 2001. Other countries have different approval processes. To date, Gleevec (Glivec) has been approved for prescription use in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malta, Mexico, Nicaragua, Palestine, Peru, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, Syria, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

What is Gleevec:

Gleevec (STI571) is the first of a new class of antiproliferative agents called signal transduction inhibitors, which interfere with the pathways that signal the growth of tumor cells. Gleevec (STI571) is targeted to the specific biochemical abnormality found predominantly in a form of leukemia called chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Gleevec (STI571) kills the abnormal cells while having little effect on normal cell growth. Laboratory studies have shown that Gleevec also inhibits an enzyme called C-Kit which is present in a relatively rare form of cancer called GIST (Gastro Intestinal Stromal Tumor). There are some small trials being conducted on GIST tumors in the U. S. A. with plans to expand those trials to other countries. It is too early to reach any valid scientific conclusions with GIST, however, early data looks very promising.

Who Operates this site:

My name is Jerry Mayfield. I have no medical qualifications whatsoever. I am 51 years old and was diagnosed with CML in March of 1999. After a year on the Interferon/Ara-C/HHT protocol without a cytogenetic response I started Gleevec on August 15, 2000. I am a retired State Trooper having spent 21 years with the Louisiana State Police. I have been a computer enthusiast for the last 15 years. I am now attempting to get a web business off the ground. I am married to Karen, my wife of the last 27 years. This is a "one man show" so please allow time for me to answer your email. This site is strictly a non-commercial site. It is a "labor of love". I operate it at my own expense and do not intend to make a profit. I do not accept donations. If you would like to donate, please send your donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

[Special Thanks to Peter Rowbotham, who gathered most of this data by searching the Web, talking to Doctors and attending conferences at his expense. I could not have published this site without him.]

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