Hi Nigel,
I am very surprised at the advice you received. I have NEVER heard any CML expert clinician express this opinion. Remember, Glivec is a targeted therapy and not chemotherapy in the way we normally understand that class of drugs. Chemotherapies are extremely untargeted, developed from the kind of weapons used in the 1st world war- e.g mustard gas- which had the effect of destroying bone marrow of those who were exposed.
Chemotherapies used to treat cancer (in general) are an entirely different class of drug - they are 'global' in their effects and destroy ALL cells no matter what.
Even so, I would not postulate (like one of your doctors has) that any cancer patient who has had chemotherapy is, by having unprotected sex, guilty of transfering chemicals to their partner throught a transfer of bodily fluids, and possibly lowering their future immune response to disease... I find this proposterous.
TKI's (imatinib/Glivec, nolotinib, dasatinib etc) are compounds designed to target a particular signal pathway within the white cells that harbour the PH chromosome- i.e these PH+ cells are uncontrolled because signalling to reproduce is controlled by the abnormal fusion protein Bcr/Abl- two chromosomes- 9 and 22- swop small parts which fuse together to form a new abnormal chromosome called the PH chromosome.
TKI's are a group of chemicals that are designed to target the active pocket in the cell which is switched to ON by this abnormal protein and so the cell continues to reproduce itself ad infinitum. Imatinib/Glivec fits into the pocket and blocks the protein- thus the cell dies.
TKI's have NO effect on sperm. This is why men who are treated with TKi's (as opposed to women who need to come off treatment while they are planning pregnancies) can and do father children without detrimental effects on the foetus.
Thus your sperm cannot have any effect on your wife's immune system or effect her in any way.
Also Tki's have a half life of around 11 - 12 hours. This is why you need to take these drugs every single day to keep the plasma level at around >1000 ng per ml. which it is thought to be the level that produces the optimal responses.
I hope this helps allay your fears. I know this is a steep learning curve but take your time and try not to worry too much.
Take a look at some of the video's on the video page.... particularly the parts 1 and 2 of Dr. Brian Druker's educational series.
Best wishes,
Sandy
