Imatinib mesylate as salvage therapy for refractory sclerotic chronic graft-versus-host disease

Blood. 2009 Jul 16;114(3):719-22. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-02-204750. Epub 2009 Mar 16.

Abstract

Imatinib is a promising candidate for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. This retrospective study evaluated the use of imatinib for the treatment of refractory sclerotic chronic graft-versus-host disease in 14 patients with different hematologic malignancies. Imatinib was started at a median of 44 months after transplantation (range, 16-119 months after transplantation) and was administered for a median of 5.9 months from time of initiation (range, 2.1-74 months from time of initiation). With a median overall follow-up of 11.6 months from time of initiation (range, 4.1-74 months from time of initiation) of imatinib, 4 patients (29%) had to stop imatinib because of drug intolerance. All other adverse reactions were of mild-to-moderate grade and could be managed symptomatically. Overall, 7 patients responded to imatinib (50%; 95% confidence interval, 24%-76%) with 4 patients improving their Rodman score more than or equal to 90%. In addition, imatinib therapy allowed for a significant reduction of corticosteroid dosage. Despite its limited size, this cohort suggests some beneficial activity of imatinib in sclerotic chronic graft-versus-host disease, warranting further prospective investigations.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Benzamides
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / pathology
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Piperazines / toxicity
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrimidines / toxicity
  • Remission Induction
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Salvage Therapy / methods
  • Sclerosis*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Benzamides
  • Piperazines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Imatinib Mesylate