Imatinib, an example of a 'targeted therapy' against cancer, or related drugs might be tools to fight a variety of infections, scientists say. Imatinib, is an example of a "targeted therapy" against certain types of cancer. It blocks tyrosine kinase enzymes, which are dysregulated in cancers such as chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. http://www.scienceda...50401115744.htm
Anticancer drug can spur immune system to fight infection
Started by
gerry
, Jul 25 2015 06:38 PM
11 replies to this topic
#2
Trey
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Posted 25 July 2015 - 07:13 PM
Article says low dose Gleevec can stimulate neutrophil production while higher dosage inhibits it. It does not say what "subclinical" or "low dosage" is.
Anyway, I have been on low dose Gleevec (200mg daily) for over 6 years and my neutrophil levels (ABS Neut / ANC) are consistently low range normal, not stimulated by any means.
It may be slightly possible that for someone who does not take Gleevec daily that a 100mg pill may stimulate neutrophil production. But I don't know why.
The article also brings up the Ebola treatment issue, which is slightly more interesting. Ebola hijacks the ABL enzyme, and since Gleevec inhibits ABL some have suggested it might be a useful medication, at least to some degree if the person is not too far along.
http://www.bloomberg...esearchers-find
#3
Gail's
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Posted 26 July 2015 - 12:00 AM
So I have a question for Trey or anyone who has experienced infection while on a TKI. If the WBC count is lowered during treatment, does it stay down when a second infection occurs? For example, low WBC count, then a bacterial infection comes along, will the WBC rise?
Diagnosed 1/15/15
FISH 92%
BMB 9:22 translocation
1/19/15 began 400 mg gleevec
1/22/15 bcr 37.2 IS
2/6/15 bcr 12.5 IS
3/26/15 bcr 10.3 IS
6/29/15 bcr 7.5 IS
9/24/15 bcr 0.8 IS
1/4/16 bcr 0.3 IS
Started 100 mg dasatinib, mutation analysis negative
4/20/16 bcr 0.03 IS
8/8/16 bcr 0.007 IS
12/6/16 bcr 0.002 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 70 mg
4/10/17 bcr 0.001 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 50 mg
7/5/17 bcr 0.004 IS
8/10/17 bcr 0.001. Stopped TKI in prep for September surgery.
9/10/17 bcr 0.006
10/10/17 bcr 0.088
FISH 92%
BMB 9:22 translocation
1/19/15 began 400 mg gleevec
1/22/15 bcr 37.2 IS
2/6/15 bcr 12.5 IS
3/26/15 bcr 10.3 IS
6/29/15 bcr 7.5 IS
9/24/15 bcr 0.8 IS
1/4/16 bcr 0.3 IS
Started 100 mg dasatinib, mutation analysis negative
4/20/16 bcr 0.03 IS
8/8/16 bcr 0.007 IS
12/6/16 bcr 0.002 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 70 mg
4/10/17 bcr 0.001 IS
Lowered dasatinib to 50 mg
7/5/17 bcr 0.004 IS
8/10/17 bcr 0.001. Stopped TKI in prep for September surgery.
9/10/17 bcr 0.006
10/10/17 bcr 0.088
#4
Silvertabby
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Posted 26 July 2015 - 01:20 AM
Gail, my WBC is usually low, but the few times I have had a UTI, it has gone up some - to above 6,000. I take Gleevec.
Dx - 9/2013. IS QRT-PCR - 26.5
Gleevec 400 - 10/2013 to present
CCyr - 3/2014
MMR - 9/2015
PCRU - 12/2015
.01525 - 3/2016
.024 - 5/2016
PCRU - 8/2016
.015 - 11/2016
.015 - 3/2017
.015 6/2017
PCRU - 9/2017
God is in control. I will trust Him.
Gleevec 400 - 10/2013 to present
CCyr - 3/2014
MMR - 9/2015
PCRU - 12/2015
.01525 - 3/2016
.024 - 5/2016
PCRU - 8/2016
.015 - 11/2016
.015 - 3/2017
.015 6/2017
PCRU - 9/2017
God is in control. I will trust Him.
#5
Trey
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Posted 26 July 2015 - 09:20 AM
Gail,
The CML patient's immune system still works just fine, as ST just described. When invaders enter the body (happens every day) the immune system responds. The TKI drugs do not significantly inhibit this response. One caveat, if a CML patient has extremely low blood counts it is well to be more careful since the body has a harder time mounting a quick enough response from such low levels.
#6
soundoff
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Posted 26 July 2015 - 11:44 PM
Even more interesting. ...
http://www.foxnews.c...top-bioweapons/
Gleevac, also called imatinib mesylate, is approved by the FDA to treat some types of leukemia and other forms of cancer. Tasigna, or Nilotinib, is also used to treat certain types of leukemia.
Buller's research will examine key active compounds in these two medicines: Research suggests they could inhibit replication of at least three different viruses. Some believe they have the potential to be broad-spectrum "anti-infectives."
"They can't make unique anti-viral medications and vaccines for every potential weapon of mass destruction," Buller said, instead focusing on "developing broad-spectrum anti-infectives that would be effective against many pathogens."
Gleevec and Tasigna target the same enzyme that the smallpox and ebola viruses need. Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a highly lethal, severe disease that is also found in both monkeys and humans.
If an infection can be stopped or the spreading of a virus slowed, then it will give the immune system an opportunity to rally and respond with a strong defense.
Throughout the country, other research teams are looking at deploying the very same two cancer drugs against other viruses that could pose a biological warfare threat.
http://www.foxnews.c...top-bioweapons/
Gleevac, also called imatinib mesylate, is approved by the FDA to treat some types of leukemia and other forms of cancer. Tasigna, or Nilotinib, is also used to treat certain types of leukemia.
Buller's research will examine key active compounds in these two medicines: Research suggests they could inhibit replication of at least three different viruses. Some believe they have the potential to be broad-spectrum "anti-infectives."
"They can't make unique anti-viral medications and vaccines for every potential weapon of mass destruction," Buller said, instead focusing on "developing broad-spectrum anti-infectives that would be effective against many pathogens."
Gleevec and Tasigna target the same enzyme that the smallpox and ebola viruses need. Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a highly lethal, severe disease that is also found in both monkeys and humans.
If an infection can be stopped or the spreading of a virus slowed, then it will give the immune system an opportunity to rally and respond with a strong defense.
Throughout the country, other research teams are looking at deploying the very same two cancer drugs against other viruses that could pose a biological warfare threat.
#7
kat73
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Posted 27 July 2015 - 08:51 AM
Hey, a twofer! Albeit, a rather expensive one. Anyway, if we ever come down with Ebola, we've already got our pills ready to hand. (I know, sorry for joking about a very serious thing.)
Dx July 2009 on routine physical. WBC 94. Started Gleevec 400 mg Sept 2009. MMR at 2yrs. Side effects (malaise, depression/anxiety, fatigue, nausea, periorbital edema) never improved. Kidney issues developed because of Gleevec. Switched to Sprycel 70 mg in Aug 2011. Above side effects disappeared or improved. Have been MR3.5 - 4.5 ever since. Two untreated pleural effusions followed by one treated by stopping Sprycel Jan 2017. After 9 weeks, PCR showed loss of MMR; re-started Sprycel at 50 mg and in 3 months was back to <0.01% IS. Pleural effusion returned within a couple of months, same as before (moderate, left side only). Stopped Sprycel 50 mg for 12 weeks; pleural effusion resolved. At about a monthoff the drug, PCR was 0.03; at 11 weeks it was 2.06 - lost CCyR? Have returned to 50 mg Sprycel for 3 weeks, intending to reduce to 20 mg going forward.
#8
TeddyB
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Posted 27 July 2015 - 05:46 PM
"The authors go on to suggest that imatinib or related drugs may be useful in treating a variety of infections in patients whose immune system is compromised, such as those receiving chemotherapy for cancer."
Oh the irony.........good article though, thanks GerryL 
#9
Buzzm1
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Posted 27 July 2015 - 07:28 PM
Hey, a twofer! Albeit, a rather expensive one. Anyway, if we ever come down with Ebola, we've already got our pills ready to hand. (I know, sorry for joking about a very serious thing.)
Ebola Data and Statistics http://bit.ly/1z2rC7r
W.H.O. Ebola Response RoadMap Situation Report http://bit.ly/1rxTQqJ
Ebola Timeline http://trib.in/1xfWcgv http://to.pbs.org/1nK85Tf
did I mention that I am developing an educational blog?
For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature
02/2010 Gleevec 400mg
2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive
2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU
2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive
2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)
2015 300, 250, 200, 150
2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR
2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000
2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17
At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.
In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.
longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation. GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.
Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams
Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.
Trey's CML Blog - Stopping - The Odds - Stop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study
Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt
#10
DebDoodah22
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Posted 28 July 2015 - 07:29 PM
Buzzm1 share your link when you get going with your blog...
#11
Buzzm1
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Posted 28 July 2015 - 07:44 PM
Buzzm1 share your link when you get going with your blog...
Thanks for asking DebDoodah22 .. it's mainly centered around federal politics at the moment
let me know if there is anything in particular that you are interested in ...
United States Federal Issues http://bit.ly/1dLfO0Y
For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature
02/2010 Gleevec 400mg
2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive
2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU
2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive
2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)
2015 300, 250, 200, 150
2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR
2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000
2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17
At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.
In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.
longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation. GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.
Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams
Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.
Trey's CML Blog - Stopping - The Odds - Stop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study
Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt
#12
Tedsey
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Posted 30 July 2015 - 11:20 AM
So, we won't die of Ebola, some infections and some cancers. Good to cross some things off the list (esp. since CML is so daunting). Why would anyone want to stop therapy! LOL
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