Nilotinib-Associated Atherosclerosis Presenting as Multifocal Intracranial Stenosis and Acute Stroke

Nilotinib is considered an effective and well-tolerated frontline agent used in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). It is a breakpoint cluster region-Ableson (BCR-ABL) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that has been associated with accelerated arterial stenosis, presumably of atherosclerotic etiology. However, reports are mostly limited to peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD), specifically in the lower extremities.1 The mechanism by which it promotes atherosclerosis is poorly understood but endothelial and perivascular factors, mast cell depletion, and metabolic factors such as promotion of dyslipidemia and impaired glucose metabolism are thought to be involved.
Source: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Case Report Source Type: research