Imatinib: novel treatment of immune-mediated kidney injury.

The treatments for many autoimmune diseases are limited in efficacy, and long-term use is associated with severe adverse events. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors have proven to be well tolerated for long treatment periods, with minimal adverse events, in the oncology population. These agents have recently been used to treat autoimmune diseases. We review the potential mechanisms whereby tyrosine kinase inhibitors may modulate the immune response and inhibit fibrogenesis and discuss the current evidence for their use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases of the kidney.