NOVA Season 13 Episode 19 The Rise of a Wonder Drug

The thirteenth season of NOVA is a seminal work of science television with many important and exciting episodes, and the nineteenth episode, "The Rise of a Wonder Drug" is no exception. This episode is a fascinating exploration of the development of the drug Imatinib, also known as Gleevec, which emerged as a game-changing medicine in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. The episode is a thrilling and insightful look at the breakthroughs in medical science that allowed this drug to be developed, tested, approved, and put to use saving countless lives.

"The Rise of a Wonder Drug" begins by introducing viewers to the incredible advances in the field of cancer research that set the stage for the discovery of Imatinib. We learn about the important work of researchers like Dr. Brian Druker, who noticed the potential of a new drug that targeted specific cancer-causing molecules in the body. We see the long and difficult process of developing such drugs, from years of lab research to trials on animals and humans. The episode also explores the challenges of drug development, including the resistance of some cancer cells to these targeted treatments.

The focus then shifts to the specific case of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a type of blood cancer that was previously untreatable. We see the stories of CML patients who faced grim prognoses in the past, and were able to receive the life-saving treatment of Imatinib that changed their fortunes drastically. The episode also introduces viewers to Dr. Charles Sawyers, another key figure in the development of the drug, who worked on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind CML. We see how Sawyers pieced together the puzzle of how the cancer cells signal to the body to grow and divide out of control, and how he ultimately developed a drug that could inhibit that signal.

The episode then takes a detailed and engaging look at the clinical trials that put Imatinib to the test. We see how patients who were chosen for the trial were monitored closely, and how the drug was shown to be effective in nearly all cases, with remarkable response rates. We also see the challenges of managing side effects of the drug, as well as the difficult ethical considerations of determining which patients would receive the drug, given its limited availability during the early days of its development. Overall, "The Rise of a Wonder Drug" provides viewers with an in-depth understanding of how Imatinib was rigorously tested and shown to be effective.

No discussion of Imatinib's development would be complete without an examination of the drug's commercial success. The episode takes viewers through the process of how the drug was eventually approved by the FDA, and how it quickly became one of the most profitable drugs of all time. We see the impact this success has had on the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the controversies surrounding the pricing of the drug, particularly in developing countries.

Finally, "The Rise of a Wonder Drug" ends on a hopeful note, as we learn about how Imatinib has continued to be studied and refined, leading to longer survival rates and better quality of life for CML patients. We also see how the breakthroughs in science that led to Imatinib have provided a blueprint for the development of other targeted cancer treatments. Overall, the episode is an inspiring and informative exploration of the incredible advances in medicine that have led to the development of Imatinib, and the ways in which it has transformed the lives of countless people.