Nilotinib: a novel encouraging therapeutic option for chronic myeloid leukemia patients with imatinib resistance or intolerance

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Authors: Giovanni Martinelli, Ilaria Iacobucci, Simona Soverini, Francesca Palandri, Fausto Castagnetti et al

Published Date November 2007 Volume 2007:1(2) Pages 121 - 127

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/BTT.S

Giovanni Martinelli, Ilaria Iacobucci, Simona Soverini, Francesca Palandri, Fausto Castagnetti, Gianantonio Rosti, Michele Baccarani

Institute of Hematology and Medical Oncology “Seràgnoli”, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

Abstract: Although high rates of complete hematologic and cytogenetic remission have been observed in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with imatinib, a short duration of response with eventual emergence of imatinib resistance has also been reported in a subset of CML patients. The most frequent clinically relevant mechanisms that change imatinib sensitivity in BCR-ABL-transformed cells are mutations within the Abl kinase domain, affecting several of its properties. Crystal structure analysis of the Abl-imatinib complex has proven helpful in identifying potential critical residues that hinder interactions of imatinib with mutated Abl. This has led to the development of a second generation of targeted therapies such as nilotinib and dasatinib, already in phase II clinical trials or SKI-606 and MK-0457 in phase I trials. In this review, we discuss the activity of nilotinib, developed by Novartis using a rational drug design strategy in which imatinib served as the lead compound. Preliminary studies demonstrated that nilotinib has more efficacy than imatinib in inhibiting proliferation of BCR-ABL-dependent cells, a relatively safety profile and clinical efficacy in all phases of CML.

Keywords: Chronic myeloid leukemia, imatinib resistance, nilotinib