Diseases at the crossroads: chronic myelogenous leukemia and tuberculosis

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and tuberculosis (TB) are diseases with effective available therapy. Treating patients who are afflicted simultaneously with both of these conditions is challenging due to significant drug interactions and the requirement of strict adherence to the multi-agent treatment regimen. Here, we report a case of peritoneal tuberculosis which was successfully treated with a non-rifampin based regimen in tandem with ongoing administration of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, dasatinib, for CML. We discuss treatment challenges and the strategy on how to circumvent them. As prevalence of CML increases worldwide, patients with concomitant CML and TB will be seen more often by physicians in all continents, and development of guidelines on simultaneous management of these conditions is imperative.