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What is Gleevec
ImatinibThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryImatinib, also known as Gleevec or Glivec, is a medication used to treat cancer. It is a type of small molecule inhibitor that works by blocking certain tyrosine kinase enzymes. Imatinib is most commonly used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), and other forms of cancer. It is the first drug of its kind and works differently than other cancer treatments that target rapidly dividing cells.
Gleevecis the brand name
Gleevec Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Gleevec
Imatinib
2001
64
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Imatinib, also called Gleevec, is approved by the FDA for 18 uses including Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor .Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
newly diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
unresectable Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
FIP1L1-PDGFRα fusion kinase status unknown Hypereosinophilic syndrome
Blast Phase
recurrent Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES)
Eosinophilic leukemia
metastatic Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPD)
FIP1L1-PDGFRα fusion kinase status unknown Chronic eosinophilic leukemia
Mastocytosis, Systemic
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Leukemia, Myeloid, Accelerated Phase
refractory, chronic phase Chronic myeloid leukemia
newly diagnosed, chronic phase Chronic myeloid leukemia
Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Effectiveness
How Gleevec Affects PatientsImatinib is a medicine used to treat cancer. It works by blocking a specific type of protein (BCR-ABL) that is often found in cancer cells. This protein helps cancer cells grow, move, and resist death, so blocking it can help stop the spread of cancer. Normal cells have other proteins that can take over if BCR-ABL is blocked, so they are less impacted by imatinib than cancer cells.
How Gleevec works in the bodyImatinib mesylate is a drug that blocks a protein called BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, which is found in abnormally high levels in cancer cells. This protein is necessary for tumor growth and survival, and Imatinib stops it from working, leading to cell death. Imatinib also blocks other proteins in the body that help regulate cell growth and survival, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and stem cell factor (SCF). In laboratory tests, Imatinib has been shown to stop the growth of certain cancer cells and cause them to die.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Gleevec is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, including Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES) and Desmoid Tumors. The dosage fluctuates in line with the technique of administration noted in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
unresectable Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Metastatic Melanoma
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Mastocytosis, Systemic
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
FIP1L1-PDGFRα fusion kinase status unknown Chronic eosinophilic leukemia
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
refractory, chronic phase Chronic myeloid leukemia
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
FIP1L1-PDGFRα fusion kinase status unknown Hypereosinophilic syndrome
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
recurrent Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Leukemia, Myeloid, Accelerated Phase
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Chordomas
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
newly diagnosed, chronic phase Chronic myeloid leukemia
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
metastatic Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPD)
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Blast Phase
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Eosinophilic leukemia
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
newly diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES)
, 100.0 mg, 400.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 80.0 mg/mL
, Tablet, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Solution - Oral, Solution
Warnings
Gleevec ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Common Gleevec Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Imatinib is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Imatinib is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Imatinib is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Imatinib is combined with Acteoside.
Aldosterone
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Imatinib is combined with Aldosterone.
Gleevec Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking Voltaren can lead to side effects such as swelling, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, pain, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, and abdominal pain. In animal studies, long-term use of Voltaren has been linked to liver, kidney, and heart damage, as well as a weakened immune system and an increased risk of infection. Additionally, studies in rats have found that taking Voltaren may reduce the lifespan of males at high doses and both males and females at lower doses. In terms of fertility, male rats who were given Voltaren had decreased testicular and epididymal weights and reduced numbers of motile sperm,
Gleevec Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Gleevec?
At present, 290 active studies are being conducted to assess the potential of Gleevec to treat Metastatic Melanoma, unresectable Gastrointestinal stromal tumor and Systemic Mastocytosis.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Metastatic Melanoma
94 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 3, Early Phase 1
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
118 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1
newly diagnosed, chronic phase Chronic myeloid leukemia
0 Actively Recruiting
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
6 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1
FIP1L1-PDGFRα fusion kinase status unknown Hypereosinophilic syndrome
0 Actively Recruiting
newly diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
0 Actively Recruiting
FIP1L1-PDGFRα fusion kinase status unknown Chronic eosinophilic leukemia
0 Actively Recruiting
unresectable Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
0 Actively Recruiting
Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2
refractory, chronic phase Chronic myeloid leukemia
0 Actively Recruiting
metastatic Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
0 Actively Recruiting
Eosinophilic leukemia
0 Actively Recruiting
Mastocytosis, Systemic
0 Actively Recruiting
Blast Phase
0 Actively Recruiting
recurrent Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
0 Actively Recruiting
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES)
0 Actively Recruiting
Chordomas
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPD)
5 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1
Leukemia, Myeloid, Accelerated Phase
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2
Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
24 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2
Gleevec Reviews: What are patients saying about Gleevec?
5Patient Review
12/17/2015 I've been on Gleevec for four years now. I had a fifteen-centimeter GIST removed, and the drug stopped the growth and killed fifty percent of the cancer cells. Now I'm three and a half years cancer free. The side effects are manageable; mainly abdominal bloating.
5Patient Review
5/14/2016 I've only been taking Gleevec for a short while, but it's working great so far. I'm on 400mg per day as a preventative measure against my 9.5cm GIST tumor recurring. The main side effects I've experienced are nausea, fatigue, blurry vision, and muscle/joint pain.
5Patient Review
10/3/2013 I've been taking Gleevec for over 17 years now, and it's been a life-saving medication for me. It went into remission early on, and overall I'm very pleased with the results. If I didn't have insurance, the medication would cost $9100 per month—which is absolutely crazy. Thankfully, there are organizations like PSI that help with co-pays. The side effects of the medication can be bothersome—like diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue—but at 69 years old I am grateful for life and for Gleevec. Bone pain, leg cramps, and feet cramps
5Patient Review
11/1/2013 I went from having a 100% chance of chronic myeloid leukemia to only a 0.1% in 30 months. The 400mg daily dosage really worked for me, though the side effects were tough to manage at times.
5Patient Review
7/14/2013 I experience some side effects from Gleevec, but they are manageable. The drug is otherwise working as intended.
5Patient Review
8/24/2016 This drug has, quite literally, been a life-saver. I was able to get back on 400mg after the tumors returned and it's helped shrink them down again. The only downside is that it's pretty expensive; other than that, I couldn't be more grateful.
5Patient Review
4/28/2022 Though Gleevec is effectively treating my CML, the side effects are quite difficult to manage. I often experience debilitating fatigue, muscle and bone pain, trouble sleeping, brain fog, confusion, and feelings of weakness. It's tough managing all of this by myself but I remain hopeful. If you're taking this drug, I wish you the best of luck.
5Patient Review
3/20/2016 I had some mild stomach issues when I first started taking this medication, but it was generally effective. Over time, my body adjusted to the medicine and I stopped having problems.
4.7Patient Review
11/26/2013 In 2009, I was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) that had spread to various organs. I underwent surgery and started treatment with the drug Gleevec. The side effects were harsh, but I'm grateful to say that four years later, I'm doing much better.
4.3Patient Review
3/19/2014 I've been taking gleevec for six years and it's been great, but this year I've developed some serious side effects like blurred vision, bacterial pneumonia, and blood clots in my lungs. I'm just praying that these go away soon.
4Patient Review
12/12/2021 I had a whipple procedure in 2013 and didn't start taking medication until 2020 when we found a large tumor on my liver. I started taking Gleevec, which worked very soon. The bulging tumor reduced quickly, but I have been told that I will need to take the medication for the rest of my life.
4Patient Review
2/27/2017 Sprycel worked well for me for 16 months, but then I experienced effusion in my heart and lungs. So, my doctor switched me to Gleevec. Six weeks in, I started experiencing a rash, stained teeth, dry eye, and chronic conjunctivitis. It's too soon to tell how effective this new drug is going to be; I'm due for a BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) next month.
3.7Patient Review
1/29/2018 The side effects I experience from Gleevec are joint pain, severe leg cramps, and anxiety.
3.7Patient Review
5/9/2013 I have an Epson 9 mutation, so I intake 800mg per day. side effects are notably strong, that is edema, anemia but...are there ways to reduce these side effects?
3Patient Review
2/1/2013Patient Q&A Section about gleevec
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is Gleevec and how does it work?
"Gleevec works by slowing or stopping the growth of certain cancer cells by inhibiting specific enzymes in the body called tyrosine kinases. Tyrosine kinase enzymes are involved in many cell functions, including cell signaling (communication), growth, and division."
Answered by AI
What kind of drug is Gleevec?
"Gleevec is a targeted therapy that inhibits signal transduction by protein-tyrosine kinase."
Answered by AI