Blogger I am not. I wanted to make few comments on a blog by Onirno describing the pain of a student of DMC Ms. Nahida Rahman, who has been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

CML is form of leukemia, which are cancers of the hematopoietic system. These are commonly referred to as blood cancer. CML arises as a result of chromosomal translocation (parts of two genes in chromosomes 22 and 9 switch places). This translocation popularly known as “Philadelphia Chromosome” was discovered by Peter Nowel and his graduate student David Hungerford in 1960. Subsequent research from many other labs resulted in accumulation of wealth of knowledge on CML pathogenesis. Based on these findings the pharmaceutical giant Novartis developed “Gleevec” (Imatinib) and received FDA approval in 2001. Gleevec was featured in Time magazine cover in 2001 as the ‘magic bullets of cancer’. CML is only one of two cancers against which targeted therapy has been developed. It is highly effective in most patients and follow-up studies reported in the New England Journal of Medicine shows about 90% survival rate (5 yr).

In the United States, monthly costs for Gleevec (without insurance) may run as high as $ 6000.00. Generic version of the drug is available in India and costs $ 150.00/month.


I do not know the details of Nahida’s CML. However, I would suggest getting expert second opinion to decide between bone marrow transplantation and the drug Gleevec.

While the burden and pain of being diagnosed with cancer is huge, in the case of CML there is hope! It is one of those rare cancers that are almost curable.