1. ENVL-GEOL, SUST and CHEM
Living with CML
Tait Chirenje
ENVL-GEOL, SUST and CHEM
Stockton University

2. Leukemia (leukos haima)
Cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase in immature (useless) white blood cells called blasts
It is part of a continuum of blood disorders affecting bone marrow and lymphoid system (hematological neoplasms)
people are diagnosed with leukemia every year (125 a day). This 2 min video discusses CML:

3. Leukemia (leukos haima)
Acute leukemia
rapid increase in number of immature cells. Bone marrow stops producing healthy cells. Common in children.
Different types of acute leukemia, depending on whether they come from lymphocytes or other cells.
Chronic leukemia
Immature cells do not grow as fast. Common in adults, but both adults and children can get acute and chronic leukemia.

4. Leukemia (leukos haima)
Depends on what type of cells are affected
Lymphoblastic or lymphocytic leukemia – affects type of marrow cells which would otherwise form lymphocytes (infection –fighting immune cells)
Myeloid or mylogenous leukemia – affects type of marrow cells that would form red blood cells, other white cells and platelets
I have CML, so that’s what’s discussed in this presentation.

5. Prognosis Will not cover a lot of this, so I included a short video
(2 mins)

6. Chronic Mylogenous Leukemia, CML

7. Tyrosine kinase is an enzyme that can transfer phosphate group from ATP to
a protein in a cell
Tyrosine kinases function as ON and OFF switches for many cellular functions
Unfortunately, they can get stuck on the on position…

8. Allows for biological treatment

10. Treatment There are quite few treatment options for CML
Imatinib (Gleevec) – 1st generation TKI approved by FDA in 2001
Dasatinib (Sprycel) - 2nd generation TKI approved for newly diagnosed patients who do not respond to other therapies. Also for late diagnosed patients (I’m on this)
Nilotinib (Tasigna) – See sprycel
Bosutinib (Bosulif) – approved in 2012 for patienst with too many side effects from the other TKIs
Ponatinib (Inclusig) – targets patients with specific mutation after treatment with other TKIs (T315I)

11. Treatment
Treatment of leukemia has come a long way. These two videos discuss treatment options and prognosis for leukemia patients. They have managed to change leukemia into a chronic condition, rather than the death sentence it used to be only a couple of decades ago.
(3 mins)
(first 3 of 6 mins)

13. Treatment Cost
I take one 100mg dasatinib (Sprycel) tablet every morning)
That tablet costs $330 ($10,000 a month)
I cannot afford it!!
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) are involved in lobbying for reduced costs.
LLS raises funds through Team in Training (TNT). I now participate on their team and I also hold dance events to raise money
I currently have no co-payment, thanks to ‘TEAM’!

17. https://www. facebook. com/taitchirenje. ref=tn_tnmn#

18. Coping
I am a member of an LLS survivor group (South Ocean County Medical Center), because my oncologist has admitting privileges there.
I belong to two Facebook Groups for survivors
I participate in LLS and Team events. Gaining knowledge and discussing the disease with other survivors has been very helpful.
I think I am in better physical condition and better health overall because of this experience. I now pay attention to everything I do, and most importantly, I do not take anything for granted.