The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Applauds FDA's Approval of Gleevec for Children with (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia
(White Plains, NY) -- January 25, 2013 -- Today's U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Gleevec to treat children newly diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is encouraging news for these patients.
"While Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia affects a small number of children, it puts these children at greater risk, and new treatments are desperately needed to improve the chance of achieving a remission," said Clare Karten, M.S., The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's senior director of mission education. "The approval of Gleevec for treatment of newly diagnosed Ph+ ALL pediatric leukemia is good news for these patients and their caregivers. Pediatric cancer therapy trials are critical to continue the progress in childhood cancer treatment achieved during the past four decades."
The list of indications for Gleevec, which was originally developed with help from LLS funding to treat patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia, has been continually expanding since its original approval in 2001. It had previously been approved for adults and children with relapsed/refractory Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is also approved for a variety of blood cancers, including chronic eosinophilic leukemia, myelodysplastic /myeloproliferative disorders, and systemic mastocytosis. Gleevec is also used to treat patients with GIST and a rare form of skin cancer.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org.
