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Imatinib mesylate (STI571)
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 other cancers.
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 other cancers. Used for Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), Philadelphia chromosome positive, Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Philadelphia chromosome positive.
At a glance
| Generic name | Imatinib mesylate (STI571) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Gleevec, Imatinib, NSC-716051, Glivec/Gleevec |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| Drug class | Tyrosine kinase inhibitor |
| Target | BCR-ABL, PDGF receptor, c-KIT |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
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 other tyrosine kinases including PDGF receptor and c-KIT, making it effective in additional malignancies.
Approved indications
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), Philadelphia chromosome positive
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Philadelphia chromosome positive
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle cramps
- Edema
- Rash
- Myelosuppression
- Hepatotoxicity
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
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Imatinib mesylate (STI571) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Imatinib mesylate (STI571) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center portfolio CI