Gleevec potentially harmful to bone development
Gleevec, a drug prescribed to some cancer patients, specifically people with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and a type of stomach cancer called GIST, has been found to interfere with bone development.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that Gleevec (also known as Glivec) may prevent bone formation and resorption, also known as bone remodeling. The study was conducted on patients who developed low levels of the mineral serum phosphate, crucial in bone formation.
The [FDA] approved Gleevec in May, 2001. The drug is now the manufacturer Novartis's second biggest selling product, with sales last year totaling $2.2 billion.
