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Severe oligozoospermia in a young man with chronic myeloid leukemia on long-term treatment with imatinib started
Stefania Mariani1, Sabrina Basciani, Andrea Fabbri
1Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Objective:
To report the effect of long-term treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib started before the onset of puberty on semen parameters, bone mineral density, and hormone values.
Design:
Case report.
Setting:
University hospital.
Patient(S):
An 18-year-old man given treatment with imatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia.
Intervention(S):
Clinical, biochemical and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry evaluations.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Semen analysis, serum levels of gonadotropins, inhibin-B, and testosterone, bone mineral density, markers of skeletal homeostasis.
Result(S):
Semen analyses showed severe oligozoospermia after long-term administration of imatinib started before puberty. The inhibin-B/FSH ratio was reduced. A low bone mineral density for chronologic age was observed.
Conclusion(S):
This case study documents the potential risk of an impairment of semen parameters in patients undergoing a treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors before the complete maturation of the testis.
Insights
Long-term imatinib treatment before puberty may impair semen parameters and bone density. This tyrosine kinase inhibitor can affect male reproductive health and skeletal development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia.
- Pre-pubertal initiation of imatinib therapy raises questions about its long-term effects on reproductive and skeletal health.
Observation:
- A case report of an 18-year-old male treated with imatinib before puberty for chronic myeloid leukemia.
- Evaluations included semen analysis, hormone levels (gonadotropins, inhibin-B, testosterone), bone mineral density, and skeletal homeostasis markers.
Findings:
- Long-term imatinib use resulted in severe oligozoospermia and a reduced inhibin-B/FSH ratio.
- The patient exhibited low bone mineral density for his age.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential risk of impaired semen parameters with pre-pubertal tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment.
- Further research is needed to understand the full impact of imatinib on male reproductive maturation and skeletal development.
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