Imatinib

Summary

Imatinib is a chemotherapy drug used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, or CML. It’s most important side effect is fluid retention and edema.

Key Points

• Imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib
  • Mechanism
    • Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
      • Targets BCR-ABL fusion protein that is the cause of certain cancers like CML
  • Clinical Uses
    • Cancer / Chemotherapy
      • Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
      • Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
  • Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
    • Edema and fluid retention