A Review on Imatinib: A wonder drug in Oncology

Abstract

Imatinib is one of the first cancer therapies that has shown a potential for a novel approach in cancer treatment. Imatinib represents a therapeutic breakthrough as a targeted therapy in the form of selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) specifically BCR-ABL, c-KIT, PDGFRA. It has become the first line drug in management of several cancers. Apart from its remarkable success in CML, it has also shown promising results in the treatment of gastro-intestinal stromal tumors, clonal eosinophilic disorders, philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphatic leukemia and in steroid-refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease because of its anti-PDGFR action. Introduction of Imatinib has radically improved the outcome of patients and has geared up further research into development of designer drugs with molecular targets. Apart from clinical profits of Imatinib in several cancers, it is associated with drug resistance and intolerance. This article gives a comprehensive review of the development, biology, utility, dosing, and limitations of Imatinib in oncology.