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

L Magro, M Mohty, B Catteau, V Coiteux… - Blood, The Journal …, 2009 - ashpublications.org
L Magro, M Mohty, B Catteau, V Coiteux, P Chevallier, L Terriou, JP Jouet, I Yakoub-Agha
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2009ashpublications.org
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 …
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.
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