Imatinib Mesylate is Effective for Patients Not Only with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, but Also Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Synovial tissue proliferation and inflammation are regarded as possible causes of rheumatoid arthritis. Activation of tyrosine kinase by numerous cytokines and BCR-ABL translocation contribute to synovial tissue inflammation and the development of rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase-blocking agent that is widely used for treating chronic myeloid leukemia. We found several interesting case reports of patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis who entered remission after initiating imatinib therapy. However, only one case report on treating rheumatoid arthritis with imatinib was found in Korea. Here, we describe the case of a 50-year-old man who showed clinical remission of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic myeloid leukemia after receiving 3 months of imatinib therapy.