Video: Tasigna(R) Demonstrates Rapid Response as Initial Therapy in Life-Threatening Form o...( Tasigna now shows potenti...),Health

• Tasigna now shows potential to become the treatment of choice for certain newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia
• Two separate studies show rapid elimination of cancer cells in 96% of Tasigna patients and reduction of abnormal CML protein by six months
• Larger front-line Phase III trial evaluating Tasigna vs. Gleevec(R) now fully accrued

EAST HANOVER, N.J., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ --New results from two separate trials demonstrate that Tasigna(R) (nilotinib) 200 mg capsules helps achieve rapid responses when used as initial therapy in newly diagnosed patients with a life threatening form of leukemia. The study results were presented today at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/novartis/36314/

In both Phase II studies, 96% of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in early chronic phase achieved a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) after six months of Tasigna treatment(1,2). CCyR is defined as undetectable Philadelphia chromosome cells in a patient's bone marrow.

Although CCyR remains the primary goal of therapy, achieving major molecular response (MMR) may be a more sensitive predictor of long-term progression-free survival. In the two studies, 74%(2) and 45%(1) of patients treated with Tasigna exhibited MMR after six months. Tasigna was well tolerated in both studies.

"Newly diagnosed patients taking Tasigna experienced remarkable responses with minimal toxicity," said Jorge Cortes, MD, Professor of Medicine and Deputy Chair of Leukemia at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "These results indicate there is pot
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