title: Corticosteroids can reverse severe imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Imatinib can induce severe hepatotoxicity, in 1-5% of CML patients, many of whom need permanent imatinib discontinuation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report 5 CML patients who developed grade 3-4 hepatotoxicity after 2-8 months in imatinib. Different aetiologies of liver damage were ruled out and toxicity recurred in 2 patients with further attempts at low dose imatinib. In all patients prednisone or methylprednisolone at 25- 40 mg/day resolved hepatotoxicity in 3-8 weeks and allowed imatinib to be resumed at full doses. Corticosteroid were tapered off in 3-5 months without hepatotoxicity recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corticosteroid may avoid discontinuation for hepatotoxicity of the most effective anti-CML therapy.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Ematologia dell'Università degli Studi di Torino, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy. daferrero@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: Enrico Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Pogliani
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rege-Cambrin
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dellacasa
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Campa
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perfetti
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fumagalli
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boccadoro
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001549:Benzamides; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone