Bangkok--6 Dec--Core and Peak
Novartis is a founder of International Patient Assistance Program GIPAPTM which is the first project to help patients who are properly diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia Chromosome-positive (Ph+) and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs). This Program entitles the patients who meet specific medical and socio-economic guidelines to medicines for free of charge. Currently, the program supports over 50,000 patients in 81 countries. GIPAPTM unveiled its vision during the celebration of its 10th Anniversary in Thailand. At present, there are 3,500 patients who have been provided Imatinib free of charge since the program?s launch and more than 1,800 patients are currently enrolled.
?Almost all CML patients have a chromosomal abnormality known as the Philadelphia chromosome. The Philadelphia chromosome produces an abnormal protein called BCR-ABL that signals the bone marrow to keep making abnormal white blood cells. Causes this Philadelphia chromosome to develop in some people is unknown, but some studies indicated that exposure to radiation may increase 4-5 folds of risk of developing the Philadelphia chromosome. In Thailand, there is no officially statistically available for CML but assuming that from experiences and opinions of experts that, CML would be affecting about 1 to 2 per 100,000 populations, age at diagnosis is around 36-45 years and more common found in male than females. Symptoms of CML will generally relate to include a hyper metabolic state, excessive leukocyte count, or splenic enlargement, including fatigue night sweats, weight loss, and abdominal fullness. The most characteristic laboratory feature of CML is an increase in white blood cell count,? said Professor emeritus Saengsuree Jootar, Chair of Council, the International Society of Hematology, Chair of Thai CML Working Group, and Past President of the Thai Society of Hematology.
CML treatments are available in various options. Medicines such as Imatinib, the first targeted demonstrated that 85% of patients taking Imatinib have overall survival; however, in some CML patients who are resistant or intolerance to Imatinib will switch to Nilotinib, which is more potency and high specifically targeted disease. Currently, Nilotinib will effectively help patients to be able to control symptoms and prevent CML progression. With its superiority to Imatinib, Nilotinib has been now recommending for front-line treatment of CML the same as Imatinib. Another treatment option like bone marrow or stem transplant may be suggested if patients haven?t responded well to other treatments as it is an invasive medical procedure with a long list of complications and side effects.
?From the past several decades, there are a number of researches to transform CML from a death sentence to chronic, largely manageable disease, reflecting in treatment goal that is helping CML patients to be able to stay longer as they can, which currently CML patients can live long for 20-30 years after having innovative treatments. We are now moving treatment goal to the next phase of helping them to be able to live without drug therapy; this concept is called ?Treatment Free Remission? (TFR). TFR is a large scale of research program to evaluate the potential for CML patients to live without drug therapy, which is now underway with clinical studies actively enrolling. If successful, this could bring a significant meaningful to CML community and definitely lead to a completely new treatment paradigm for the growing population of patients living with CML, and could have a positive impact on the healthcare systems that support these patients, I believe,? added Professor emeritus Saengsuree Jootar.
?Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors or GIST is cancer of soft tissue in gastrointestinal tract, mostly develops in the stomach or small bowel. GIST is a rare cancer. In the United States, it is estimated that 500-600 new patients are diagnosed with GIST each year. However, in Thailand, there is no exact statistics on the number of GIST patients. Signs and symptoms of GIST include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, palpable mass in the abdomen, vomiting blood or having blood in the stool, anemia, and fatigue,? said Asst. Prof. Vichien Srimuninnimit, MD, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital Said
When the tumor is still located only at the original organ (primary GIST), surgery can be performed to remove the tumor. However, after the surgery, most patients still have risk of cancer recurrence. The risk level varies for each patient, depending on disease characteristics. Therefore, physicians will closely follow-up the patients. In some cases, adjuvant therapy (medication therapy after the surgery) with imatinib can be given after the tumor has been completely removed in the patients who have high risk of recurrence. Latest research has shown that 3-year adjuvant therapy with imatinib can reduce recurrence rate and increase overall survival rate in this group of patients and this is considered evolution of GIST treatment.
?In patients whose tumor cannot be removed by surgery or cancer has spread to other locations in the body (metastatic GIST), imatinib is standard treatment. Clinical study of imatinib in this group of patients, with 9-year follow-up, has shown that about 1 in 3 of the patients still survives,? added Asst. Prof. Vichien
?At Novartis, we are passionate about the delivery of targeted research to accelerate development and improve results for innovative medicines. Beyond providing medicines, Novartis has implemented industry-leading access programs benefiting thousands of patients with our strategic partners across the region to put into place unparalleled patient access and support programs. In 2012, Novartis continues our commitment to support patients through programs valued at about USD 2 billion and reached more than 100 million patients in need through access to medicine projects around the world,? said Mr. Francis Bouchard, Region Head Oncology, Asia Pacific and South Africa.
Launched worldwide by Novartis in 2002, the International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAPTM) is one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching cancer patient access programs ever implemented on a global scale. The program has provided cancer medicines at no cost to more than 50,000 patients in 81 countries. Novartis has continually operated GIPAPTM for 10 years since 2003. More than 3,500 patients have been provided Imatinib free of charge since the program?s launch and more than 1,800 patients are currently enrolled. At present, there are 61 GIPAPTM centers and 163 GIPAPTM physicians all over Thailand.
?Novartis prioritizes the patients and also places importance on patient access to medicines. Consequently, GIPAPTM has been launched in Thailand since 2003. Ten years after it began, the GIPAPTM program continues to help Thai patients gain access to proven-effective cancer treatments and most of all, give them hope,? said Mr. Richard Abela, Country President of Novartis (Thailand) Limited.
In addition, apart from GIPAPTM, Novartis also has the International Patient Assistance Program (TIPAPTM), which is a cancer patient access program for chronic myeloid leukemia patients with Philadelphia Chromosome positive (Ph+ CML) who are not responsive to or unable to tolerate Imatinib and have financial problems. This program has been launched since 2008 and has helped more than 260 patients up to present day.
?Enhancing access to medicines is a key Novartis advocacy. Novartis will therefore continue to implement and administer both GIPAPTM and TIPAPTM in Thailand,? said Mr. Richard Abela, Country President of Novartis (Thailand) Limited.