title: Cerebral oedema as a possible complication of treatment with imatinib.
abstract: Imatinib is a potent drug used in treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). It acts by inhibition of the CML-specific p210 BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, but also blocks other pathways such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and c-kit receptor signalling. Clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of imatinib, which has toxic effects in cells that express BCR-ABL. Side-effects, although frequent, are generally mild and include superficial oedema and fluid retention. Here, we describe two patients with cerebral oedema, which in one patient was fatal. The pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown, although the drug could act through inhibition of the PDGF receptor.
authors.affiliation: Division of Haematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ebnöether
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stentoft
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buhl
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gratwohl
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001549:Benzamides; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate