[Complete remission with imatinib mesylate (Glivec) of an idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome associated with a cutaneous mastocytosis after failure of interferon-alpha].
BACKGROUND
The idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is a rare haematologic disorder difficult to treat. We report the efficacy of imatinib mesylate in this pathology.


METHODS
An idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome associated with a cutaneous mastocytosis was diagnosed in a 32-year-old man presenting with pulmonary, neurological and haematological manifestations. After failure of interferon alpha and hydroxy-urea therapy, a durable and complete clinical and biological remission was induced by imatinib mesylate within 3 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Imatinib mesylate, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases appears to be a very safe and effective treatment for this type of hypereosinophilia. The mechanism of response to this molecule, well known in Philadelphia positive chronic myeloid leukemia, is not yet clarified in the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (other oncogenes than c-kit or PDGF could be concerned). The association with cutaneous mastocytosis has not been reported yet.
Pottier
P
P
Service de médecine interne A, Hôtel-Dieu, CHU Nantes, 44093 Nantes cedex 1, France. pierre.pottier@sante.univ-nantes.fr
Planchon
B
B
Grossi
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001549:Benzamides; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D017681:Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate