Imatinib and type 2 diabetes

Objective: To characterize the effect, if any, of imatinib mesylate, an inhibitor of abl tyrosine kinase used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, on type 2 diabetes. Methods: The centralized pharmacy database was used to identify all patients who had received imatinib at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, during a 5-year period. The electronic medical records were subsequently reviewed to identify which of these patients had type 2 diabetes. In addition, relevant biochemical data, prior to, during, and after imatinib treatment, were abstracted from the electronic laboratory database and medical records. Results: At the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, a total of 164 patients received imatinib during the period of study (1999 to 2004). Of these 164 patients, 7 had preexisting type 2 diabetes, and diabetes developed in 2 patients during treatment with imatinib. Despite 2 previous reports of improvement in glycemic control with use of imatinib in patients with type 2 diabetes, no net effect on glycemic control or diabetes therapy was noted in our study cohort. Conclusion: On the basis of our current study, it seems unlikely that imatinib substantially affects glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.