Long-Term Evaluation of Imatinib´s Effect on Bone Marrow Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) that originates in an abnormal pluripotent stem cell [1]. At diagnosis, all cases of CML have the characteristic t(9;22) translocation that results in the Ph chromosome [2]. Marked bone marrow (BM) fibrosis at the time of diagnosis and worsening BM fibrosis while the patient is receiving therapy are markers of CML disease progression and poor prognosis [3]. A significant advance in the treatment of CML was achieved with the introduction of imatinib [4]. Imatinib has an independent anti-fibrotic effect on BM of CML patients [5].

Aim of the Study: We assessed BM fibrosis in CML patients treated with imatinib.

Patients and Methods: This retrospective study was done on 46 patients with CML from 2012 to 2014 treated with imatinib. Assessment of reticulin fibrosis in CML patients treated with imatinib was done using reticulum staining kit.

Results: Thirty-three patients (71.7%) of the 46 patients in our study showed progression of BM fibrosis after one year of treatment with imatinib.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that imatinib may be associated with progression of BM fibrosis in CML patients.