And while most discoveries are profoundly collaborative, the timely invention of imatinib was largely due to one brilliant researcher, Dr Brian Druker.

(here endeth the lecture)


Thanks for the lecture, it was a good one.

The progress in CML truly is spectacular, if only we had a simple explanation for the other 99% of cancers with a logical and highly effective treatment.

And although you are right to challenge the word ‘cure’, the treatment is so good, it may actually be curative for some patients. After years of control (with no detectable Philadelphia chromosome), trials where some patients have stopped treatment have shown no recurrence in a substantial proportion.

Will any of them be able to stay off treatment indefinitely? Time will tell, but it’s starting to look like the answer may be ‘yes’, since some have had no recurrence after >15 years after stopping imatinib or one of its sister molecules.