The results of a large Phase III clinical trial indicate that Tasigna (nilotinib) is more effective in every measure—from major molecular response (MMR) to complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) to prevention of progression of the disease to accelerated or blastic phase—than the better known Gleevec as a first-line therapy in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Both drugs are FDA-approved to treat CML, although currently, Tasigna is only approved to treat patients who are Gleevec-resistant.
The findings were presented as a late-breaking abstract at the meeting of the American Society of Hematology in New Orleans earlier in December. As an abstract, these findings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. Read more about this study at medicalnewstoday.com.
HOWEVER, readers should keep a few things in mind when considering these data:
1) Both Tasigna and Gleevec are made by the same pharmaceutical company, Novartis;
2) A head-to-head trial such as this is extremely rare;
3) Novartis sponsored this trial and they are knowingly making one of their products, Gleevec, look badly.
4) Novartis is currently losing the battle to prevent other companies from making a generic Gleevec.
By Ross Bonander
