Karimi M, Bahadoram M, Mafakher L, Rastegar M. Impact of Imatinib on reducing the painful crisis in patients with sickle cell disease.
Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2023:S2531-1379(23)00147-5. [PMID:
37652804 DOI:
10.1016/j.htct.2023.06.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common hemoglobinopathy worldwide that causes painful crises and hospitalization of patients. These attacks decrease survival and cause chronic end-organ damage in these patients.
HYPOTHESIS
For this reason, finding new treatment approaches could be helpful.
METHOD
In this study, Imatinib was applied as a mast cell inhibitor to reduce pain crises in these patients. Seven patients resistant to hydroxyurea and folic acid treatment and who had at least four painful crises per year with hospitalization were enrolled in this study with treatment with Imatinib (100 mg, twice daily). Subsequently, the number and duration of hospitalizations, analgesic requirement, the severity of chronic pain, and changes in the hematological parameters of these patients were evaluated before and after the treatment.
RESULTS
The data showed that the total number of hospitalizations and the entire duration of hospitalizations were reduced 16 times after treatment with Imatinib, without apparent changes in hematological parameters. Also, the demand for pethidine, tramadol, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was reduced in all patients. The average reduction in chronic pain was over 70%.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that treatment with Imatinib in patients with SCD or sickle cell anemia (SCA) may be a suitable therapeutic option for reducing painful crises.
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