Loading...
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a disabling, progressive disease associated with exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast medium. Therapies for this condition have generally failed to improve the cutaneous changes or the joint contractures. Imatinib is approved for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic diseases, systemic mastocytosis, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. It appears to have antifibrotic activity.
Two patients with progressive cutaneous disease and joint contractures due to NSF were treated with imatinib mesylate at a dose of 400 mg/day. They were studied serially, with skin measurement using a modified Rodnan score (commonly used for scleroderma) and measur…