ffects then the new drug STI-571. Interferon alpha cause adverse symptoms such as lack of energy, fever, or other flue like symptoms. The only adverse effects on the experimental drug STI-571 include mile nausea when the daily intake was taken without food. Studies also showed that about 10% of patients suffered from minor muscle cramps. Author Stephenson states that using this drug in a combination with other antineoplastic agents may help prevent the emergence of resistance, which is more likely to occur when a single agent is used (318,321). One of the greatest testimonies that can be shown in favor of the new drug is from personal experiences. Leukemia patient Virginia Garner, who was dying from leukemia not long ago and did not respond to interferon, the most common form of treatment for CML, became extremely enthusiastic about the experimental drug. In an article published in Science News by N. Seppa Garner said, "It has no side effects whatsoever. It's literally given me my life back.” (372). Another major testimony of the miraculous success of STI-571 was shown when pastor Ron Viettie became the first person every to receive the experimental drug. Vietti was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in February 1997 and took his first dose of STI-571 in December of 1999. Vietti states that is drug will revolutionalize the medical treatment of cancer forever. “STI-571 will transform CML from a terminal disease to a manageable chronic disease, at worst.” Viettie began his fight against CML by trying hydroxyurea, interferon, and chemotherapy. Despite his willingness to fight this disease no form of treatment seemed to work. When Vietti took the first dose of STI-571 he began only with 25 milligrams due to the uncertainty of the drugs affects, however he was ecstatic that he had found another hope for survival. Not only has Vietti’s blood count sustained but the genetic indicators of leukemi...
