But Gleevec only helps in two relatively uncommon tumors, chronic myeloid leukemia and stomach lining cancers.

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Based on the trial, Novartis plans to apply next year for approval to market Tasigna for initial therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia.

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He points to Gleevec, a drug that boosted the survival rate of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia to about 90% from 20% to 25%.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Oncology is attractive not only because of the huge need for better drugs but also because that's where the impact of the human genome project has been greatest, yielding targeted drugs such as Genentech's Herceptin for breast cancer and Novartis' Gleevec for chronic myeloid leukemia.

FORBES: Magazine Article