Efficacy of Imatinib Mesylate Treatment for a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Who Developed Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased risk of hematological malignancy as a result of the RA itself or its treatment. We report here on an unusual case of a 55-year-old female with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis and who was treated with low dose methotrexate and hydrochloroquine. She was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia that manifested with severe thrombocytosis and basophilia, and this was treated with imatinib mesylate. After 6 months, she achieved a complete cytogenetic response of the CML and a complete resolution of all the RA symptoms without DMARDs.