Roche Holding Ltd. (ADR) (RHHBY), Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (BMY): Cancer Meeting Highlights the Good and Bad of the Immune System

In a phase 1 trial testing idelalisib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients who had failed a median of five prior regimens, half of the patients saw tumor shrinkage with an average duration of 17 months. Typically, you might see patients benefit for six to 12 months from their sixth treatment.

As a targeted therapy, the side effects seem to be more tolerable than chemotherapy, which is especially important since CLL tends to affect the elderly. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) has already started a phase 3 trial for idelalisib.

The best is yet to come?
Late-breaking and plenary abstracts aren’t released until the day of the scientific presentation at the meeting, so we could see some more interesting data in a few weeks. Until then, have fun reading the other 4,697 abstracts.

The article Cancer Meeting Highlights the Good and Bad of the Immune System originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Brian Orelli.

Fool contributor Brian Orelli has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Gilead Sciences.

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