Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate)

Gleevec is a medication used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, also known as CML. People with CML have an overproduction of their body's white blood cells, which also live longer than normal cells. A specific genetic abnormality is the cause of CML. The goals of treating CML are to reduce the number of white blood cells to normal, to relieve the symptoms associated with CML, and to eliminate white blood cells that have the specific genetic abnormality. Gleevec is different from other medications that are used to treat CML. The white blood cells that are the hallmark of the disease are made to grow by an abnormal protein, called the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase. Most chemotherapies act by killing all fast-growing cells - both abnormal and normal. Gleevec works by specifically blocking this abnormal protein, thereby preventing the growth and reducing the number of abnormal white blood cells.

This information does not take the place of your doctor's advice. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand this information or if you want to know more about this drug.