Corticosteroids can reverse severe imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity.--Vadim

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" " Background: Imatinib can induce severe hepatotoxicity, in 1-5% of CML

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. " "

Haematologica. 2006 Jun;91(6 Suppl):ECR27.

Corticosteroids can reverse severe imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity.

Ferrero D, Pogliani EM, Rege-Cambrin G, Fava C, Mattioli G,

Dellacasa C, Campa E, Perfetti P, Fumagalli M, Boccadoro M.

Divisione di Ematologia dell' Universita di Torino; Ospedale

Molinette ia Genova 3; 10126 Torino

Background: Imatinib can induce severe hepatotoxicity, in 1-5% of

CML patients, many of whom need permanent imatinib discontinuation.

Design and 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.

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