Imatinib mesylate-induced acute liver failure in a patient with gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Med Oncol. 2010 Sep;27(3):768-73. doi: 10.1007/s12032-009-9284-y. Epub 2009 Aug 7.

Abstract

Imatinib mesylate is a drug that has been approved for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Several cases of hepatotoxicity, including fatal liver failure, have been reported with the long-term use of imatinib mesylate. Generally hepatotoxicity resolves after discontinuation of imatinib. Despite discontinuation of imatinib, hepatotoxicity can be progressive. Steroid may be useful in these patients and should be started early. We report a 53-year-old woman with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors who developed hepatotoxicity while receiving imatinib and subsequently acute liver failure. Ten weeks after commencing imatinib treatment, hepatotoxicity was determined. Imatinib was immediately ceased. Subsequently, a week later hepatic encephalopathy, jaundice, and coagulopathy occurred. Prednisolone was commenced. Liver biopsy was performed five weeks after the determining of hepatotoxicity. Biopsy showed sinusoidal congestion, necrosis of hepatocytes, inflammation, and hepatocyte drop out around the hepatic venule consistent with drug toxicity. Her liver function tests normalized with a nine-week prednisolone treatment. The patient was discharged. Her liver enzymes remained in normal range following visits. In cases of imatinib-induced acute hepatitis, the administration of prednisolone may be useful in the resolution of the acute episode and allow the reintroduction of a drug without risking recurrence of hepatitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Benzamides
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / complications
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / drug therapy*
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / secondary
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Indoles / therapeutic use
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / complications
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Failure / chemically induced*
  • Liver Failure / drug therapy
  • Liver Failure / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Piperazines / adverse effects*
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects*
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use
  • Sunitinib

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Indoles
  • Piperazines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Prednisolone
  • Sunitinib