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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
06:53

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis

Published on: August 21, 2013

Squamous cutaneous epithelial cell carcinoma in two CML patients with progressive disease under imatinib treatment

Gökben Baskaynak1, Karl-Anton Kreuzer, Michaela Schwarz

  • 1Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Hämatologie und Onkologie, Campus Virchow, Charité, Humboldt Universität Berlin, Germany. gökben.baskaynak@charite.de

European Journal of Haematology
|March 27, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Imatinib therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia may increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Two elderly patients developed squamous cell carcinoma in sun-exposed areas during treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Imatinib (Gleevec) is a targeted therapy effective against Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
  • It functions by inhibiting the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, crucial for CML cell proliferation.

Observation:

  • Two elderly patients undergoing treatment for advanced CML with imatinib developed squamous cell carcinoma.
  • The skin cancers appeared in areas of the body typically exposed to sunlight.

Findings:

  • The development of squamous cell carcinoma in these patients suggests a potential link between imatinib treatment and skin cancer risk.
  • The location of the tumors indicates that chronic sun exposure may be a contributing factor.

Implications:

  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying imatinib-induced skin carcinogenesis.
  • Consideration of skin surveillance and photoprotective measures may be warranted for patients on long-term imatinib therapy.
  • The role of co-factors like human papillomavirus infection warrants investigation.

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