The Philadelphia Chromosome

{Back blip from Friday, June 7, 2013}

The Philadelphia Chromosome refers to the chromosomal abnormality that causes chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a cancer which begins inside the bone marrow and that raises white blood cell counts to deadly levels. It is also the title of science journalist Jessica Wapner's book which chronicles the tale of this genetic mutation's discovery in a Philadelphia lab in 1959, (hence, the Philadelphia chromosome), its role in causing CML, and the development of Gleevec, a drug that made this rare and once-fatal cancer treatable with a single daily pill.

Last evening, Rich and I attended one of Town Hall's Science Series talks given by Jessica Wapner and Hans Loland, a CML survivor whose story is featured in Wapner's book. Loland, a Microsoft employee, was diagnosed with CML in 2008, and now, after participating in a drug study, is in complete remission.

If battling a disease as deadly as CML was not enough stress enough for an individual, here, in the U.S., we must also budget enough mental fortitude to take on our deeply flawed healthcare system and its sidekick, the pharmaceutical machine. Last night we talked about Orphan Diseases and Orphan Drugs, and how drug companies in the US, lacking the huge financial incentives they believe are their entitlement, have little ambition to research and develop drugs for diseases such as CML that are quite rare, yet still extremely deadly.

Loland's story is nothing short of a miracle. Our ongoing battle in the United States to achieve Healthcare for All, and to place people before profits is one that requires participation from all of us. We all benefit when we all are provided quality healthcare, medicine, food, housing, and education.

We have a long road ahead of us yet, but I am optimistic that this can be achieved within my time.