Chronic diseases demand continuing attention. Sometimes, that may be nothing more than a daily medication.
“Medication has side effects, and even if they are mild, you may not consider them mild if you are taking a pill for the rest of your life,” said Ehab Atallah, MD, hematologist/oncologist and leukemia specialist with the Froedtert & MCW Cancer Network.
With that in mind, Dr. Atallah initiated a National Institutes of Health-funded study for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a blood cancer which is commonly treated with oral medication.
Previous research in France suggested that some patients were able to discontinue medication and remain in remission, but no such study had ever been conducted in the United States. In September 2014, a study was launched at 15 sites across the nation. Patients who had been on medication for at least three years and in remission for at least two stopped taking their drug.
“We collect blood samples and, using the information patients provide, are working to determine who can and cannot stop drug treatment,” Dr. Atallah said.
Hartland resident Nina Schildt participated in the study. Diagnosed with CML in 2009, she ceased her medication two years ago and is feeling fine. “I am doing great,” she said. “It’s a miracle.”
“Right now, we can’t explain why some patients are able to discontinue medication and not relapse, while others do,” Dr. Atallah said.
He will present his findings in 2018 after a follow-up with the participants. “CML is a rare disease, and we need to keep working with experts to understand it better. We now have a consortium of 17 sites around the country working to cure this disease.”
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