Imatinib mesylate (STI571) for myeloid malignancies other than CML.

Imatinib mesylate, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has had a major impact on the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myelogenous leukemia. This review will explore its potential in the treatment of other myeloid neoplasms, based on its ability to inhibit Kit and PDGFR kinases in addition to Bcr-Abl. Imatinib's potential role in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome negative chronic myelogenous leukemia, systemic mastocytosis with associated hematologic neoplasms, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, specific subtypes of acute myelogenous leukemia, myelofibrosis/myeloid metaplasia, and polycythemia vera is discussed.