One of a new class of wonder drugs that can turn off cancer cells, may be the cause of congestive heart failure in some patients.
Although 10 patients developed heart failure in 2004, it was only recently discovered that Gleevec adversely affects a protein which helps to maintain cells that contract the heart muscle.
Novartis claims the side effect is rare, and that patients who show symptoms of heart failure can easily be treated. They have now included a warning on the Gleevec label and ask doctors to be on the look out for heart related side effects.
