Imatinib Mesylate

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors, Dermatofibrosarcoma, Leukemia + 17 more

Treatment

35 FDA approvals

20 Active Studies for Imatinib Mesylate

Treatment for

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

What is Imatinib Mesylate

ImatinibThe Generic name of this drug

Treatment SummaryImatinib is a cancer-fighting medicine used to treat several types of cancer. It is sold under the brand names Gleevec and Glivec. Imatinib works by blocking certain enzymes, which prevents tumor growth. This is the first drug of its kind, as it specifically targets cancer cells instead of just any rapidly dividing cells.

Gleevecis the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Imatinib Mesylate Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Gleevec

Imatinib

2001

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Imatinib, also called Gleevec, is approved by the FDA for 35 uses including Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPD) and Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor .

Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPD)

Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)

Accelerated phase chronic myologenic leukemia

metastatic Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

refractory, chronic phase Chronic myeloid leukemia

recurrent Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Leukemia, Myeloid, Accelerated Phase

FIP1L1-PDGFRα fusion kinase status unknown Chronic eosinophilic leukemia

newly diagnosed, chronic phase Chronic myeloid leukemia

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

unresectable Gastrointestinal stromal tumor

cKit mutational status unknown Aggressive systemic mastocytosis

FIP1L1-PDGFRα fusion kinase status unknown Hypereosinophilic syndrome

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES)

Systemic Mastocytosis, Aggressive (ASM)

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Blast Crisis

Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia (CEL)

Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma

Blast Phase

Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Leukemia

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Eosinophilic leukemia

Dermatofibrosarcoma

Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive

Mastocytosis, Systemic

Myeloproliferative Disorders

Effectiveness

How Imatinib Mesylate Affects PatientsImatinib is a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer. It works by blocking the activity of certain proteins (called tyrosine kinases) that help cancer cells grow and divide. Imatinib specifically targets a protein called BCR-ABL, which is involved in many processes that cause cancer cells to grow and spread. Normal cells are usually not affected by imatinib because they have other proteins that can take over the job of the blocked protein. But cancer cells rely heavily on BCR-ABL, so they are more likely to be impacted by imatinib.

How Imatinib Mesylate works in the bodyImatinib mesylate is a drug that stops cancer cells from growing and spreading. It does this by blocking a protein called BCR-ABL, which is found in higher amounts in cancer cells. Imatinib also targets the proteins that help cancer cells survive, such as PDGF and SCF, by blocking their activity. In lab tests, imatinib has been shown to stop the growth of cancer cells and even cause them to die.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Imatinib Mesylate is contingent upon the determined ailment, including Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES) and Desmoid Tumors. The amount of dosage is contingent upon the method of delivery specified in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Dermatofibrosarcoma