Skin reactions with imatinib in CML patients: An Indian experience

Abstract

16522 Background: Skin reactions are observed in up to 30–45% of all patients of CML on imatinib therapy. Owing to its low molecular weight it is less likely to be immunologically mediated. Therefore most of them can be managed without discontinuation of therapy. We tried to look into the spectrum of the skin reactions observed in CML patients receiving imatinib, and tried to see any change with the phase of the disease (chronic/accelerated/blast crisis) or difference in the brand of drug they are receiving. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India. A total of 235 patients were analyzed between Jan 2004 and Dec 2005. Clinical details were noted from the case records. Differences were calculated for the means using SPSS 13.0 for windows. Results: The age, total episodes of reactions, mean time to develop and to heal along with grade of reactions are summarized in the table . A total of 191 patients received the international brand and the total episodes of skin reactions observed were 68 with 4 grade III/IV toxicities. 54 patients received local brand and 17 of them developed skin reactions and 2 of which were grade III/IV. There is no difference in the time taken for resolution of skin reactions (23.8 + 6.7 vs. 25.2 + 7.5) (p = NS). Conclusion: There are no significant differences in skin reactions observed with brand of imatinib used. Patients with accelerated phase and blast crisis developed reactions at little earlier. As most of the patients in the later said conditions had a shorter survival, we could not comment conclusively on the time to heal according to phase of the disease. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.