Imatinib is the main type of treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia. It is a type of drug known as a signal transduction inhibitor and is taken as capsules that are swallowed.
Imatinib works by blocking (inhibiting) signals within the leukaemia cells that make them become abnormal and continue to grow and divide. Blocking the signals makes the cells die.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have recommended that imatinib should be the first treatment considered in the chronic phase of CML. People in the chronic phase, who are already being treated with interferon, can discuss switching to imatinib with their specialist. Imatinib can also be used in the accelerated or blast crisis phases of CML, as long as it hasn’t been used before.
Side effects
The side effects of imatinib are usually mild and treatable. Side effects include:
- feeling slightly sick (nausea)
- vomiting
- swelling of the face, especially around the eyes
- diarrhoea
- leg aches and cramps
- an itchy rash
- poor appetite
- headaches
- tiredness.