Haematologica, Vol 91, Issue 6_Suppl, ECR27-ECR27
Copyright © 2006 by Ferrata Storti Foundation
Corticosteroids can reverse severe imatinib-induced hepatotoxicity
D Ferrero,
EM Pogliani,
G Rege-Cambrin,
C Fava,
G Mattioli,
C Dellacasa,
E Campa,
P Perfetti,
M Fumagalli,
and
M Boccadoro
Divisione di Ematologia dell'Universita degli Studi di Torino, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy. daferrero@yahoo.com
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.
