Imitinib – The Closest Thing to a Miracle Cure for Cancer

by Bernard Sinai · Published March 9, 2017 · Updated March 20, 2017

Everybody hates cancer, and everyone is trying to find a cure. Unfortunately, science has not found a miracle cure yet, but they have found a drug that comes close – imitinib.

Imitinib – commonly called Gleevec – is used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and according to studies has helped 80% of patients live up to a decade or more, according to NBC News.

The pill was hailed as a wonder drug when it was first introduced in 2001.

Bharat Shah’s Story

Bharat Shah posing for a recent photo with his wife Milan. Image via NBC News.

In 2000, 60 year old Bharat Shah from Atlanta was diagnosed with CML and given between 6 months to 3 years to live.

Shah felt and looked fine, but his white blood cells were multiplying at an alarming rate. He was facing the harsh treatment of chemotherapy and all its associated side effects.

It was only through coincidence or divine intervention that a physician relative met a former staffer of Dr Richard Silver, a hematologist and oncologist in New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center who was running human trials on the drug. Shah enrolled in the program and became one of the first patients to try the drug.

It took only two months for Shah to return to his normal routine.

“Within two months I was back to normal”, he said. Nearly two decades later, and Shah is still active and the only side-effects he is feeling are puffy eyes.

The Imitinib Study

On Thursday the final report into the use of Imitinib in treating CML was published. The team of researchers were led by Dr Brian Druker of Oregon Health & Science University. The trial had 1, 100 patients.

According to Dr Silver, the 10 year survival rate for 83% is extraordinary, and has led to biological cures – the leukaemia is present but not affecting patients’ blood cell counts.

Imitinib has been on the market for more than 15 years. However, it will cost more than US$140, 000 per year, despite having generic rivals. An Indian generic company produces for US$800 a year while a Canadian version goes at US$8, 800.

According to Dr. Hagop Kantarjian of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center the price was US$26, 000 in 2001 and has increased by 10% – 20% annually since.

A Brighter Future

Despite the high price range, the finding of the research gives hope to CML patients, and the option of a treatment that does not do more damage than good.

And according to Shah, it was worth it.