Acute ischemic intestinal necrosis as a rare side effect of nilotinib

Abstract

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are highly effective therapies for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, continuous administration of TKIs could lead to toxicity that could induce serious vascular disorders. Nilotinib, a second-generation TKI, has been approved for patients with CML in the chronic phase or accelerated phase, after resistance to imatinib has been identified, or as a first-line treatment. In comparison to other TKIs, nilotinib has been associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events, such as peripheral artery occlusive disease. We present a CML patient who developed acute ischemic bowel necrosis and perforation during nilotinib therapy.