25 years ago, the FDA approved a pill that would change the way scientists treat cancer … for good. The pill was called Gleevec; it was designed specifically to treat CML, chronic myeloid leukemia, and it was one of the first targeted cancer therapies available. A quarter century after approval, it’s still being prescribed, as are second, third and fourth-generation drugs that followed in its footsteps. What made it so special – and so effective? Pharmaceutical correspondent Sydney Lupkin walks us through the history of the drug, and why it’s continued to change lives for decades.

If you liked this episode, check out our other episodes with Sydney on accelerated drug approvals and the development of GLP-1 pills.

Interested in more stories about medicine and medical treatment? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

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Without this pill, lots of people would be dead

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