Imatinib

Imatinib is a small molecule kinase inhibitor that revolutionized the treatment of cancer, particularly chronic myeloid leukemia, in 2001. It was deemed a "miracle drug" due to its clinical success, as oncologist Dr. Brian noted that "complete hematologic responses were observed in 53 of 54 patients with CML treated with a daily dosage of 300 mg or more and typically occurred in the first four weeks of therapy".. The discovery of imatinib also established a new group of therapy called "targeted therapy", since treatment can be tailored specifically to the unique cancer genetics of each patient.

Imatinib is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia with Philadelphia chromosome mutation (Ph+) in blast crisis, accelerated phase, or chronic phase after IFN-alpha therapy failure.Additionally, imatinib is also indicated to treat adult and pediatric Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia, adult myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases, adult aggressive systemic mastocytosis, adult hypereosinophilic syndrome and/or chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), adult dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).