Last reviewed 2026-04-23 · How we verify

Imatinib (Glivec)

Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks the BCR-ABL fusion protein and other kinases, preventing abnormal cell proliferation in chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks the BCR-ABL fusion protein and other kinases, preventing abnormal cell proliferation in chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Used for Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), Philadelphia chromosome positive, Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), KIT-positive, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Philadelphia chromosome positive.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Imatinib selectively inhibits the constitutively active BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase that results from the Philadelphia chromosome translocation in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). By blocking this kinase, it prevents the downstream signaling that drives uncontrolled myeloid cell proliferation. The drug also inhibits KIT and PDGFRA kinases, making it effective in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) driven by these mutations.

Approved indications

• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), Philadelphia chromosome positive
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), KIT-positive
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Philadelphia chromosome positive

Common side effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle cramps
• Edema
• Rash
• Fatigue
• Myelosuppression (anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia)

Key clinical trials

• A Treatment Study Protocol for Participants 0-45 Years With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (PHASE3)
• Asciminib & Standard-of-Care Integration in Maintenance Therapy for POST Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (Allo-HSCT) of Patient With Ph+ B-ALL or Blastic Transformed CML (PHASE2)
• Trial of Imatinib for Hospitalized Adults With COVID-19 (PHASE3)
• Neoadjuvant Imatinib and Fampridine in KIT Mutant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (PHASE1)
• Asciminib as Initial Therapy for Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Chronic Phase (PHASE2)
• A Study to Evaluate Axatilimab Versus Best Available Therapy in Participants With Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease After at Least 2 Prior Lines of Systemic Therapy (PHASE3)
• Imatinib Mesylate or Dasatinib in Treating Patients With Previously Untreated Chronic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (PHASE2)
• A Study to Evaluate Axatilimab Versus Best Available Therapy in Pediatric Participants With Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease After at Least 2 Prior Lines of Systemic Therapy (AGAVE-256) (PHASE2)

Primary sources

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