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Growth deceleration in children treated with imatinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia
Insights
Children with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) treated with imatinib experienced reduced height standard deviation scores (SDS) in the initial years. This growth alteration occurred consistently across genders and pubertal stages.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a rare cancer in children.
- Imatinib is a standard front-line treatment for CML.
- Understanding treatment effects on growth is crucial for pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of front-line imatinib on statural growth in children with CML.
- To analyze height standard deviation score (SDS) changes over time.
- To identify potential differences in growth patterns based on gender and pubertal status.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 81 children (<18 years) with CML from the French pediatric registry.
- Height data expressed as standard deviation score (SDS).
- Comparison of height SDS at baseline and follow-up points (12 and 24 months).
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in height SDS was observed 12 and 24 months after initiating imatinib (p < 10(-4)).
- This reduction was consistent across genders and pubertal stages (prepubertal and postpubertal).
- No significant difference in height SDS loss was noted between boys and girls or between prepubertal and postpubertal groups.
Conclusions:
- Imatinib treatment significantly alters growth velocity in children with CML during the initial years.
- Growth patterns are affected irrespective of gender or pubertal status.
- Further monitoring of growth is essential for pediatric CML patients on imatinib.
Purpose:
The aim is to study statural growth in a large cohort of children with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) treated with front-line imatinib.
Methods:
Retrospective data from 81 children less than 18 years of age with CML identified in the French pediatric registry were analysed. Height was expressed as standard deviation score (SDS).
Results:
A gradual decrease in height SDS was observed over time since starting imatinib. The height SDS was significantly lower 12 months and 24 months after the start of imatinib overall (p < 10(-4)) irrespective of gender and pubertal age. The height SDS was significantly (p < 10(-4)) lower 12 months after the start of imatinib in boys and girls, and in the prepubertal age group as well as in the postpubertal age group, respectively. A similar finding was observed in the subgroups of boys and girls starting imatinib at a prepubertal or postpubertal age. Loss in height SDS 12 months after the start of imatinib was of the same range in boys when compared to girls and in patients who started imatinib at a prepubertal age compared to those who started at a postpubertal age.
Conclusion:
Growth velocity was altered during the first years of imatinib treatment in boys as well as in girls and in prepubertal age patients as well as in adolescents.
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