Imatinib Efficacy, Safety and Resistance in Iranian Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Review of Literature

Asiyeh Amouei; Nesa Daeian; Seyedeh Sana Khezrnia; Ava Mansouri; Molouk Hadjibabaie

doi:10.18502/ijhoscr.v15i2.6042

Asiyeh Amouei Research Center for Rational Use of Drugs, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Nesa Daeian Research Center for Rational Use of Drugs, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Seyedeh Sana Khezrnia Research Center for Rational Use of Drugs, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ava Mansouri Research Center for Rational Use of Drugs, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Molouk Hadjibabaie Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijhoscr.v15i2.6042

Keywords: : Imatinib mesylate; Treatment outcome; Antineoplastic agent resistance; Chronic myeloid leukemia; Adverse drug event

Abstract

Background: Imatinib is the gold standard in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Resistance to imatinib is interfering with patients’ responses and their survivals.

Materials and Methods: We designed a systematic search to find relevant studies by applying appropriate keywords in PubMed, Web of science, Scopus, Ovid, ProQuest, Science direct and Google scholar for English studies. We also investigated the aforementioned terms’ correspondence in Magiran, Scientific information database (SID) and Google scholar for Persian articles.

Results: 25 studies were selected for final analysis. Reported hematologic responses from adult studies ranged 86-99% and major molecular responses were estimated in 38.84% of our patients within 12 months of treatment. The most frequent reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were edema (n=5 studies, 100%) and fatigue and nausea (n=4 studies, 80%); ADR per capita ratio was 1.46. Only one study informed ADRs in pediatrics demonstrating 93% of patients experienced ADRs after receiving imatinib. Most of the Studies (n=4, 67% from 7 studies) considered BCR/ABL point mutation as main reason of imatinib resistance. Drug-binding site and P-loop regions were two common sites for BCR/ABL point mutation.

Conclusion: Imatinib as the first line treatment for CML has been associated with proper and durable responses in Iranian adults and children CML patients. Moreover, Imatinib life-threatening adverse effects were reported uncommon. Various responses to modified regimens have been reported in resistant patients; therefore, individualized treatment based on mutation type could be recommended.