Tasigna achieves rapid response in CML Ph+

New results from two separate trials demonstrate that Novartis' Tasigna (nilotinib) 200mg capsules helps achieve rapid responses when used as initial therapy in patients newly-diagnosed with a life-threatening form of leukemia.

Presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Francisco, findings from both Phase II studies show that 96% of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia in early chronic phase achieved a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) after six months of Tasigna therapy.

CCyR is defined as undetectable Philadelphia chromosome cells in a patient's bone marrow. Although it remains the primary goal of therapy, achieving major molecular response may be a more sensitive predictor of long-term progression-free survival. In the two studies, 74% and 45% of Tasigna patients exhibited MMR after six months. Tasigna was well tolerated in both trials.