Like other forms of leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia is caused by benzene exposure. Benzene exposure is not uncommon among workers in many industries, including those who work around gasoline and crude oil, which both contain benzene. The U.S. government estimates that Americans used 137 billion gallons of gasoline in 2014.
Acute myeloid leukemia develops in the blood and marrow. Unfortunately, it grows at a rapid pace. Symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia include:
- Weight loss;
- Flu;
- Body aches;
- Bone pain; and
- Spots on skin.
Treatment for the disease may involve chemotherapy, stem cell transplants and biologic treatments. New drugs for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, also known as AML, continue to be developed by a number of pharmaceutical companies.
As Population Ages, Leukemia Rates Expected to Rise, Creating Expanded Market for More Effective Leukemia Drugs
Leukemia usually occurs in middle age and progresses as the patient ages. Given the aging population, drug manufacturers foresee a rise in the need for new drugs to treat leukemia. North America leads the world in leukemia therapeutics treatment, given the high rates of diagnosis here. In 2010, 62 percent of leukemia drugs in the therapeutics market were sold in North America.
In 2001, pharmaceutical companies began to introduce leukemia drugs to the market that significantly improved the quality of life for patients living with AML. Today, leukemia drugs include:
- Bosulif;
- Gleevec;
- Iclusig; and
- Sprycel.
Within the next five years, it is expected that clinical trials will launch for a number of promising new drugs as well, including:
- Bosutinib;
- Dacogen;
- ga101/rg7159;
- Graspa;
- Marqibo;
- Midostaurin;
- Omapro;
- Quizartinib;
- Vidaza; and
- Vosaroxin.
The drug companies leading the pack in leukemia therapeutics treatment reportedly include:
- Ambit Biosciences Corporation;
- Ariad Pharmaceuticals,Inc.;
- Biogen;
- Bristol-Myers Squibb;
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals; and
- Pfizer.
Contact Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel to Learn More About Filing a Benzene Lawsuit
The lawyers at Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel have been representing people who have been sickened by toxic exposures for more than twenty years. Have you or a loved one been exposed to benzene and been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)? If so, call us at 800.226.988 to learn more about how we can assist you with a benzene lawsuit.
