Customer Reviews

Magic Cancer Bullet: How a Tiny Orange Pill May Rewrite Medical History

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While this was a very interesting "inside view" of the pharmaceutical industry, the author (or ghost writer?) tries too hard to sound humanitarian, and ends up sounding rather fake (or as if he were going for a medical school interview). A lot of the book ends up being a justification of the marketing and sales of the drug, and ends up sounding heavy-handed. Also, the reader must be aware that this book does not tell the entire story of Gleevec - just search for it on the NY Times, and the patients will tell you the darker side of the tale. In the end, this book is just another marketing scheme for this niche drug, and should be treated as such.

What appeared to be a good story on an amazing cancer drug discovery turns out to be a disappointment in reading experience.
There is no doubt that the author is intelligent; (given that he did find this amazing drug and remains to be a CEO of a huge pharmaceutical company) but someone should have helped him out with his writing.
There were run on sentences, misspelled words and the flow of his writing doesn't get the reader excited. Instead, it conveys a sense of sensationalism and unnecessary drama.

As someone who has CML, the disease that Gleevec was developed for, and as someone for whom Gleevec has been a life-saver, I can attest to the the fact that this book is a valuable and interesting read.

This book makes note of the important part the internet played in the rapid FDA approval of this "proof of concept" drug. It also tells the personal story of how several persons that have used this drug lives' have been affected. Some parts of this book may bring tears to your eyes.

It is becoming apparent that Gleevec will be of help against several other diseases, besides just CML.

As a "proof of concept" drug, Gleevec is truly unique, promising and exciting, and that fact alone makes the telling of its story so worthwhile.

I am totally satisfied with this book, and am glad that I bought it.

This is an excellent account of the way things really happen. The media sometimes beats the political drum so loudly about the pharmaceutical industry being an evil empire that the other side of the story is never heard. Here is an inside look from the perspective of dedicated scientists, committed business executives, and the people they serve. If you want to base your opinions on all aspects of the issue, this is required reading.

As an employee within the pharmaceutical industry, this book will offer the reader an inside view of how a product goes from the research phase to finally, the consumer. As a father to a child with cancer, this book offers hope that someday a cure will be developed to eliminate cancer. A must read!

The Magic Cancer Bullet is somewhat of a whitewash and has very little balance. If this is how the drug is being marketed to physicians, it is no wonder that I have experienced what I have.

Specifically, there ARE indeed toxicities and side effects with this drug - and I should know because I have CML and have been treated with Gleevec. The horrid thing is that there are patients like me who are not monitored properly at all.

My first hematologist was so blase about this leukemia that he told my answering machine that, yes, I definitely do have CML. Did he test for elevated liver enzymes every few months as recommended? No, of course not. Did he or any of his staff call me back when I called to ask why I was turning yellow? No. What DID he do? Prescribe Gleevec - and he also told me that I could take "all the Tylenol I needed" so long as I "don't overdo it." What does that mean? He was so bored he didn't even want much of a medical history. ALL he was interested in was the Philadelphia chromosome, nothing else at all. No advice for side effects, etc. It goes on and on, but I then went elsewhere.

Hematologist number Two is at least polite, but, when she upped the dose to 600 mg., I started to experience many more symptoms such as episodes of palpitations followed by dizziness and a feeling of faintness. She never even listened to my heart! (She doesn't even touch me at all during my visits!) All she did was lower the dose ONLY BECAUSE the Gleevec wasn't doing any more regarding the Philadelphia chromosome!

If you really want the truth about this drug, read the insert - and it's a long one. I am not saying that Gleevec is not a valuable drug - it is. BUT - some physicians are NOT MONITORING their patients properly. After all, isn't this supposed to be science? Can they always tell who may develop a problem? (Maybe they have a crystal ball?! Or do they really believe that they have the magic touch??)

Better monitoring, please. And temper your enthusiasm with some caution!

The issue is about cancer patients, their pain and a miracle drug.

The book sails through story of development of "Gleevec" pill. This medicine cured people with specific kind of cancer and saved lives.

It shows that a great deal of effort required over a sustained period of time from individual contributors that brought such a revolutionary medicine.