BCR-ABL Can Become Resistant to Gleevec

Was the BCR-ABL kinase no longer inhibited in this patient?
The answer is yes.

Scientists sequenced the gene targeted by the drug to see what changed.

In this case, resistance occurs because additional genetic mutations change the structure and function of BCR-ABL. The study of additional patients has revealed that two types of resistance mutations can occur.

Gleevec-Resistant Mutations

Dr. Charles Sawyers