Adverse effects of Imatinib Mesylat: 5-year follow-up of 55 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in Dakar (S�n�gal)

Introduction: Imatinibmesylate has significantly improved the survival of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, with less toxicity than previous chemotherapy. Methods: We describe the profile of hematological side effects or not Imatinib mesylate; through a retrospective study of 1 June 2006 to 31 June 2011, led to the unity of Hematology Le Dantec in Dakar (Senegal) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, imatinibmesylate treated. Chemotoxicity was classified according to WHO grades. Results: A total of 55 patients followed; 24 (43.6%) had non-hematological side effects of grade 1-2, dominated by diffuse depigmentation (15 cases), followed by musculoskeletal symptoms (10 cases), digestive (6 cases), infection (4 cases) and secondary amenorrhea (1 case). Cytopenias observed in 34 patients, were more grade 1-2 (58.2%). Conclusion: The side effects are common, rarely severe as reported in the literature. Our study is unique in the high frequency of diffuse depigmentation unlike western series.