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Background: Imatinib mesylate (IM) is the greatest drug discovered in the past three decades. It is one of the new agents which have the potential to decrease therapy-related morbidities for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). As a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a potential targeted model therapy, IM works through competitive inhibition of the ATP binding site of tyrosine kinase Bcr-Abl, the aberrantly expressed and constitutes active gene product of t(9;22) Philadelphia chromosome translocation.
Data sources: All literatures were from Pubmed and full text articles.
Results: IM induces major cytogenetic response in 60% of cases in chronic phase of CML and complete hematological response in 95%. IM can be used as the fist line treatment of CML. If the treatment is not successful within a year of treatment, the patient should be advised for marrow transplant. IM is also used in CML patients who are intolerant to interferon or have failed to interferon therapy. IM can induce high rates of cytogenetic and hematological responses in children in whom interferon treatment has failed. The hematologic toxic effects of IM are manageable.
Conclusions: IM plays a role in the treatment of CML both in adults and children. Usage of the agent a waits further elaboration of molecular biology of different cancers and specific targeted therapy.
Key words: imatinib mesylate; chronic myeloid leukemia; childhood cancers; chronic leukemia
World J Pediatr 2007;3(2):110-114
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