A process that typically takes five to seven years. The company is so optimisitic, it's working around the clock to pump up supplies of the drug and is filing for approval even though it's not done with the last phase of testing. But Dr. Jacobson says he's convinced the drug is worthy of expedited approval. It's an oral tablet. It's got a very specific action.
Side effects are minimal and it converts leukemia into a remission in a relatively short time.
Glivec is unlike standard chemothery treatments which kill both normal and cancer cells. Glivec only targets the cancer. This is going to be the model for all other cancer treatments. What one sees today with this treatment will hopefully be applied to many other cancers. Studies of Glivec are also underway in patients with prostate, lung, and brain cancer.