Imatinib as a treatment option for systemic non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses

Arch Dermatol. 2007 Jun;143(6):736-40. doi: 10.1001/archderm.143.6.736.

Abstract

Background: Systemic non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses are disorders characterized by the accumulation of histiocytes that do not meet the criteria for Langerhans cells in various organs. So far, no causative treatment is known.

Observations: Herein, we report the case of a 41-year-old man with Rosai-Dorfman disease, a form of systemic non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses, with histiocytic infiltrations in the skin, bone marrow, liver, and spleen. Histiocytes were positive for the imatinib target proteins platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta and KIT. The disease completely responded to treatment with 400 to 600 mg daily of imatinib for more than 7 months.

Conclusion: This case shows that imatinib is a powerful treatment option for patients with non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benzamides
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / diagnosis
  • Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / pathology
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Piperazines / administration & dosage
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Pyrimidines / administration & dosage
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases