New diagnostic testing for Gleevec resistance

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GENZYME'S NEW DIAGNOSTIC MONITORS GLEEVEC RESISTANCE

Biotech firm Genzyme has launched a diagnostic test to monitor drug

resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients who are treated

with Novartis' cancer drug Gleevec.

Genzyme's new BCR-ABL Mutation Analysis test will help physicians

evaluate resistance to therapy and facilitate appropriate adjustments

to treatment, the firm said. Despite high response rates to Gleevec

(imatinib mesylate) roughly 4 to 5 percent of patients who were

initially treated successfully will develop resistance during therapy,

Genzyme added.

The molecular hallmark of CML is a mutation known as BCR-ABL. The

mutation is the specific target for Gleevec, and is found in 95

percent of patients with CML, the company said.

In relapse patients, the majority of secondary mutations in the ABL

portion of the gene correlate with treatment failure. Genzyme's new

test detects all secondary BCR-ABL mutations and therefore predicts

resistance to Gleevec.

This test provides with leukemia patients and their caregivers more

information about their disease and will give them the ability to

personalize their treatment, said Mara Aspinall, president of Genzyme

Genetics, the business unit of Genzyme focused on the research and

development of complex testing services.