I found some interesting information today. I have previously discussed that Erin is part of a clinical study on the use of a new (clinical trials started in 2000) drug Gemtuzumab (also called Mylotarg). She is part of the study, but she was not chosen to receive the new drug. The drug was originally given to people over the age of 60 who had AML but they could not do another course of chemotherapy. In 2004, the okay was given to combine Gemtuzumab with ARA-C and Daunorubicin (the other two chemotherapy drugs that Erin takes) and give it to AML patients under the age of 61.
After much prayer, John and I both felt so strongly that we shouldn't give her the Gemtuzumab. Now I know why! I read a few articles this afternoon and found the following information:
"June 21, 2010, Pfizer (drug makers) voluntarily withdrew Mylotarg from the market at the request of the US FDA because a post-approval clinical trial raised new questions about the drug's safety and effectiveness. The trial showed that adding Mylotarg to existing chemotherapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia provided no benefit and even showed a higher death rate."
A few detailed articles on Gemtuzumab/Mylotarg can be found here and here.
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