dasatinib-related bleeding “mild and manageable”

Reactions 1259 - 4 Jul 2009

Dasatinib-related bleeding"mild and manageable"

While dasatinib therapy is associated with bleeding,the episodes are "usually mild and manageable",according to a US research team. Most episodes involvegastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhages and advanced-phasechronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) andthrombocytopenia appear to be risk factors.

The research team evaluated 138 patients receivingdasatinib for CML in phase I and II trials. Bleeding(≤ grade 3) occurred in 23% of patients. The median timeto bleeding onset was 6 weeks (range 0.5–38). Bleedingoccurred in 12%, 31% and 35% of patients treated in thechronic, accelerated and blast phases, respectively. Themajority of bleeding episodes (81%) involved the GItract. Multivariate analysis showed thatthrombocytopenia and CML phase (accelerated andblast phases versus chronic phase) were associated withan increased risk of bleeding (risk ratios of 1.002 and1.69, respectively).

The researchers suggest that close monitoring forsigns of bleeding is warranted in advanced-phase CMLpatients receiving dasatinib.Quintas-Cardama A, et al. Bleeding diathesis in patients with chronic myelogenousleukemia receiving dasatinib therapy. Cancer 115: 2482-2490, No. 11, 1 Jun2009 801148502

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Reactions 4 Jul 2009 No. 12590114-9954/10/1259-0001/$14.95 © 2010 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved