RE: [CML] liver testing

[Peter Muraki]

Hi Everyone,   I agree with Tracey’s comments concerning routine liver enzyme tests.   Since liver toxicity of Gleevec has been known since 1997, I agree with Tracey that liver enzyme testing should be a routine procedure and hematologists/oncologists/primary care physicians should test and share the information with patients on a regular basis.   The following is my story about how I found out about liver testing:   At the time I started treatment (October, 2004), I did not know about the potential for liver toxicity due to Gleevec.   In November, 2004, my oncologist recommended that I have my liver enzymes checked every month.  At first I thought that I was showing liver toxicity due to the Gleevec, my oncologist reassured me that he was just closely monitoring my liver enzymes to ensure that Gleevec was not toxic to my liver and kidneys.     Coincidentally at the same time of my oncologist’s recommendation, I had just started reading Daniel Vasella’s “Magic Cancer Bullet – How a Tiny Orange Pill is Rewriting Medical History”.  In chapter 3 of the book, the tests conducted on Rats and Dogs showed liver toxicity in the test subjects.  Even with the liver toxicity the Novartis development team, moved forward with the monkey and eventual human testing of Gleevec.  Having read the recommendation from an independent source (so to speak), it helped relieve my anxiety concerning Gleevec and liver toxicity.     I highly recommend that anyone who has not read Daniel Vasellas’ Magic Cancer Bullet – How a Tiny Orange Pill is Rewriting Medical History” to read the book.  The book is quite informative without being too maudlin or too technical.      Thanks,   Peter Dx: 9/04 Gleevec: 10/04 – 400mg From: traceyincanada [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 7:48 AM To: CML@yahoogroups.com Subject: [CML] liver testing   Hi Everyone, The issue with liver testing comes up every so often so I thought I'd address it here.  When Gleevec was first tested in animals, there was clear evidence of both liver and kidney problems so it is standard procedure to check both the liver and kidneys routinely with Gleevec therapy in humans. Unless your doctor is very well informed, he may not know the protocol for the various tests that should be done.  This is why these lists can be so important.  It has happenned several times before that patients have learned something from this list and gone to their doctors with the information and found out that their doctor wasn't following standard protocol.  Unfortunatly we can't all have CML experts at the top CML centers treating all of us so there are valuable things to be learned from those who do go to these doctors and report back.  (Thank you Nancy C, your information is always invaluable). As for frequency of testing, I guess different doctors will have different protocols.  I insist that I get everything checked with every blood test, which means I get the liver and kidney function tests along with my CBC and electrolytes roughly every 5-7 weeks.  I know of many doctors though who only do the more fancy tests every 2- 3 months.  In any case, they should be done at some regular interval. Take care, Tracey dx Jan 2002 CCR July 2002 PCR neg Nov 2002 New! Sign up for local CML support group meetings in your local community at http://cml.meetup.com Apply for Commercial Real Estate loans online and submit your deal to dozens of hungry lenders in just minutes. Loan programs for all types of business and commercial real estate. 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