Severe adverse effects associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy in chronic myeloid leukaemia – case reports and literature review

• Main Authors: Frosina Krstanovska, Irena Umek Bricman, Nataša Fikfak, Marija Čeh, Irena Preložnik Zupan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenian Medical Association 2011-05-01
• Series: Zdravniški Vestnik
• Online Access: http://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/170

Background: Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder of myeloid progenitor cells. The availability of moleculartargeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors has changed the course and treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. The long-term follow-up of adverse events amongst the kinase inhibitors played role in forming decision-making algorithms for the use of this highly effective group of therapeutics. Patients and methods: In this paper, four CML patients are presented, treated with different tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Haematologic toxicity of kinase inhibitors is the most frequent adverse effect; however, non-haematological adverse effects should also not be neglected. Conclusions: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have changed the therapy of CML, the treatment of these patients is a long-term process. Therefore, to know adverse effects is the matter of great importance in order to promptly recognise them and treat them properly.