Long-term effects of imatinib on cognition in chronic myeloid leukaemia

Imatinib was successfully introduced into haematology-oncology practice in 2001 and rapidly endorsed as a first line treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in the chronic, accelerated, and blastic phases. The survival advantage demonstrated by this target kinase inhibitor has meant that patients are now treated with this agent on a long-term basis. There is a growing literature on the potential toxic effects of chronic imatinib use (Fruttiger et al., 1999; Grove et al., 2004). A safety sub-study undertaken by the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) identified a range of subtle effects consistent with the inhibition of targeted kinases in the immunological, respiratory, endocrine, and reproductive systems (Seymour et al., 2004). To date, there has been no attempt to elucidate possible neuropsychological sequelae of chronic imatinib use. However concerns exist about the potential neurotoxic effects of this agent, given that the inhibition of protein kinase in animal studies has been associated with a range of deleterious consequences, such as impaired learning and memory, and reduced synaptic efficacy (Grove et al., 2004; Moresco et al., 2003). The purpose of the current study was to monitor the neuropsychological function of a group of adult CML patients’ newly prescribed imatinib.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

other

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

other

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Victoria University

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Shiell, Kerrie

• 320000 Medical and Health Sciences
• School of Social Sciences and Psychology

Language dc:language

en