2 replies to this topic

[gianfranko]

So, I was reading through Trey's blog and I came accross the gleevec blood test -  the test to see what is the minimum dose needed for gleevec to have effect on an individual.  The site that it was linked to, cmlalliance I think it was, seems to be down.  Has anyone had this test done by an oncologist?  Is it something the insurance would pay for?  Has anyone actually had their dosage reduced after this test?

-Franco

[Trey]

Our friends over at the GIST Support Group (who also take Gleevec) have interesting data about the blood level testing:

http://www.liferaftg...el_testing.html

The U.S. FDA shut down much of Novartis' CML Alliance program, which included the free Gleevec blood level testing from its partner Avantix labs (their website is no longer working, also).  The FDA did not like what it viewed as mixing "advertising" with testing and other so-called "unsubstantiated" claims.  I can't find any lab offering the test now, so it may not be available any longer in the U.S., but it is available in Europe.

http://www.fda.gov/I...s/ucm210191.htm

[gianfranko]

Browsing through the first website, I seem to get a sense that they are just making arguments for higher gleevec dosages.

And here I was thinking of the possibility of actually reducing the dosage...