[Imatinib-induced toxic hepatitis: description of two cases and review of the literature]

Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Nov;30(9):525-30. doi: 10.1157/13111687.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Imatinib is currently the treatment of choice in chronic myeloid leukemia. The use of this drug is safe, although some cases of imatinib-induced toxic hepatitis have been reported. We present 2 patients treated with this drug who developed acute anicteric hepatitis months after starting treatment. We also review 20 reports of individual cases to characterize imatinib-induced hepatitis. Imatinib-induced hepatitis has a variable latency period, frequently of several months. Half of the patients develop anicteric hepatitis and the clinical course is generally benign. A distinguishing feature of this entity is a transitory increase in transaminase levels in patients diagnosed with hepatitis in the weeks after treatment withdrawal. Resumption of imatinib use provokes hepatitis recurrence, which can be avoided by simultaneous prednisone administration.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Benzamides
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / diagnosis
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Piperazines / adverse effects*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects*
  • Recurrence
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Prednisone