A study looking at a new biological therapy to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia

This study is to see how well nilotinib (Tasigna) works as a first treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Most people with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) have an abnormal chromosome called the Philadelphia chromosome. This develops if some DNA from one chromosome sticks to another when the cell divides, creating an abnormal gene called ‘bcr/abl’. Bcr/abl produces an enzyme called tyrosine kinase, which encourages leukaemia cells to grow and multiply.