Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) in the treatment of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: results of a 24-month open label, extension phase, single-centre trial
Gordon, J.; Udeh, U.; Doobay, K.; Magro, C.; Wildman, H.; Davids, M.; Mersten, J.N.; Huang, W.-T.; Lyman, S.; Crow, M.K.; Spiera, R.F.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 32(6 Suppl 86: S
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-856X PMID: 25152211 Document Number: 677508
We aimed to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of imatinib in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). In this open-label, single-arm, extension-phase clinical trial, patients continued imatinib for 24 months following 12 months of initial treatment. Seventeen patients were enrolled. Forty of 92 adverse events (AE) and 0/6 serious (S) AEs were possibly related to medication. The MRSS decreased from a median of 21 to 16, (p=0.002). This study demonstrates long-term safety and tolerability of imatinib in a substantial proportion of patients with dcSSc. This is important in evaluating the relevance of this therapy in a chronic disease such as SSc.