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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
Drug-drug interactions in patients using tyrosine kinase inhibitors: A multicenter retrospective study
Yakup Ergun1, Nuriye Yildirim Ozdemir, Serife Toptas
1Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara, Turkey.
Purpose:
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are frequently used drugs in oncology practice. Although oral administration is an advantage, long-term use increases potential drug-drug interaction risk. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of potential TKI-drug interaction (PTDI) in patients who used TKIs and increase awareness of this subject.
Methods:
We retrospectively evaluated the data of 310 patients collected from four different oncology centers, where TKIs were administered for solid organ cancer, between January 2007 and December 2017. The potential interaction between TKI and any other prescribed drug was determined using ''Lexicomp® Drug Interactions, App Version 1.1'' software.
Results:
Overall, 310 patients were included; among those, 301 (97.1%) were using another drug with TKI and 147 (47.4%) experienced PTDI at least once. The median number of additional drugs was 4 (range 1-12). We detected 250 PTDIs, of which 30.8% were major interactions. The most frequently interacting TKI was imatinib (29.6%), and the additional drug group was antibiotics (21.2%). We observed that PTDIs caused the following effects: TKI concentration was increased or decreased owing to 14.4% or 22.8% PTDIs, respectively, and electrocardiographic QT prolongation occurred in 22% of all PTDIs. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that use of higher number of additional drugs (odds ratio/OR=1.63), pre-existing lung cancer (OR=8.82), and use of pazopanib (OR=9.22) were potential risk factors.
Conclusion:
The rate of PTDI is quite high in patients using TKIs. Effort must be made to increase awareness of this subject. Increasing awareness aids in lowering toxicity rates and providing efficient antitumor therapy.
Insights
Potential drug-drug interactions are common in patients taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Nearly half of patients experienced interactions, highlighting the need for increased awareness to improve cancer treatment safety and efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Drug Interactions
Background:
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are widely used in cancer treatment.
- Oral administration of TKIs offers convenience but increases the risk of drug-drug interactions with long-term use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of potential tyrosine kinase inhibitor-drug interactions (PTDIs) in patients undergoing TKI therapy.
- To raise awareness regarding the risks associated with TKI drug combinations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 310 patients receiving TKIs for solid organ cancers across four centers (2007-2017).
- Potential interactions were identified using Lexicomp® Drug Interactions software.
Main Results:
- 97.1% of patients used TKIs with at least one other drug; 47.4% experienced at least one PTDI.
- 250 PTDIs were identified, with 30.8% classified as major. Imatinib was the most frequent interacting TKI, and antibiotics were the most common interacting drug class.
- PTDIs led to altered TKI concentrations (14.4% increase, 22.8% decrease) and QT prolongation (22%).
Conclusions:
- The incidence of PTDIs in patients using TKIs is notably high.
- Increased awareness of these interactions is crucial for reducing toxicity and optimizing antitumor therapy.
- Factors like polypharmacy, lung cancer, and specific TKIs (e.g., pazopanib) are associated with increased PTDI risk.
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