Susan,
My journey started Dec 6, 2007. I failed Gleevec, Feb 2010. Was on Sprycel (for 30 days no side effects). Then 3 years and a few months on Tasigna without any real bad side effects. I have a mutation (F317L). According to the documentation, at that time, Sprycel would not work on that mutation so I went to Tasigna. I was matched for a BMT and was on the last day of the pre-transplant testing when I was told they were pausing the transplant. That was June 20, 2010. According to the doctor there are 2 other drugs, other than Iclusig, recently approved. Iclusig is used when there is a mutation. I was switched because I was not getting the response the doctors wanted and my numbers were starting to increase. About 12% on the IS. I don't need to fail another drug, like I failed Gleevec. You can go downhill real quick and it's not the place any of us want to be.
The new oral drug starts with a B but I can't spell it (might be bositnib). I was told it's used on people who don't have any mutation but have failed or could not tolerate the older TKI's.
There is a new injection drug that is really an old drug reformulated. It's an injection done twice a day for 14 days. Then I think you're drug free for 21 days. You do the 14/21 days until you get the response the doctors are looking for then it's 7 days of 2 injections a day and 21 days drug free. I was told this costs about $200000 per year. So not many people going to be using that route.
That's my short story. So far nothing out of the norm with Iclusig but it's only been 2 days. We will see how things go from here.
Mike
PS, anybody hear from PhilB? I miss his humor and his discussions with Trey.