What is imatinib mesylate used for?

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Imatinib mesylate is approved to treat: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults and children that is Philadelphia chromosome positive. In adults, it is used for disease that has recurred (come back) or is refractory (does not respond to treatment).

Is imatinib and imatinib mesylate the same?

Gleevec is the trade name for the generic drug name Imatinib Mesylate. STI-571 is another name for Imatinib Mesylate.

What is the drug classification of imatinib?

Imatinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply.

What is the indication of imatinib?

Imatinib is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia with Philadelphia chromosome mutation (Ph+) in blast crisis, accelerated phase, or chronic phase after IFN-alpha therapy failure.

Is imatinib a chemotherapy?

Imatinib (Gleevec®) is a Chemotherapy Regimen for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

What are side effects of imatinib?

Abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, burning, or tenderness.
bleeding from wound after surgery.
bleeding problems.
bloating or swelling of the face, hands, lower legs, or feet.
blood in the urine.
bloody eye.
bloody nose.
blue lips and fingernails.

What is another name for imatinib?

Imatinib, sold under the brand names Gleevec and Glivec (both marketed worldwide by Novartis) among others, is an oral chemotherapy medication used to treat cancer.

What is the mechanism of action of imatinib?

Imatinib works by binding close to the ATP binding site, locking it in a closed or self-inhibited conformation, therefore inhibiting the enzyme activity of the protein semicompetitively [1]. This process ultimately results in “switching-off” the downstream signaling pathways that promote leukemogenesis.

What cancers is imatinib used for?

This medication is used to treat certain types of cancer (such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases). It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Why is imatinib so effective?

Imatinib is well absorbed after oral administration with a bioavailability exceeding 90% [4]. It is extensively metabolized, principally by cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 and CYP3A5, and can competitively inhibit the metabolism of drugs that are CYP3A4 or CYP3A5 substrates.