Novartis' Gleevec shows promise for treating scleroderma

A drug approved to treat certain types of cancer has shown promising results in the treatment of patients with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that affects the blood vessels and connective tissue, according to results from an open-label Phase II trial.

While the drug's efficacy must be demonstrated in a Phase III trial, the gold standard for testing a drug, researchers are optimistic that Gleevec (imatinib) could potentially be a weapon against the chronic connective tissue disease for which a treatment has remained elusive. The drug is made and marketed by Swiss drug major Novartis (NOVN: VX) and, in its current cancer indications, Gleevec/Glivec generated revenues $4.27 billion (+8% year-on-year) for the full-year 2010.

"This trial showed Gleevec has acceptable safety and tolerability, and there are hints of efficacy or suggestions the drug may work," said Robert Spiera, an associate attending rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery, USA, who led the study. "This study strongly suggests that a randomized placebo-controlled trial is warranted," he added. The study appears o-nline first in advance of print in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.