title: Imatinib and the treatment of fibrosis: recent trials and tribulations.
abstract: Imatinib mesylate has become a therapy of interest for the treatment of systemic sclerosis because of its ability to inhibit c-Abl and platelet-derived growth factor receptor, tyrosine kinases involved in profibrotic pathways. Preclinical data using in vitro and murine models of fibrosis have demonstrated the antifibrotic properties of imatinib. Imatinib is currently used widely in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and other conditions, and a large amount of information is available regarding the safety of the medication in these patient populations. Whether imatinib will be tolerable or effective in the treatment of systemic sclerosis is the subject of several investigations. The aim of this review is to summarize this body of research to date.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spiera
mesh_terms: D001549:Benzamides; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate