The Mechanisms of Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Imatinib Therapy of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract

Imatinib mesylate is a potent and high selective inhibitor of Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, which is established now as the standard of Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. The treatment of patients with chronic phase of CML with imatinib has resulted in high rates of hematologic and cytogenetic responses. Nevertheless, primary and acquired resistance have been observed in few CML patients. The mechanisms of resistance to imatinib and its clinical significance were discussed in this review.

Keywords

• chronic myeloid leukemia
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors
• mechanisms of resistance