Growth Disturbances in Pediatric Patients Receiving Long-Term Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy

Background:Since their approval in 2003, Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) targeting bcr-abl1 kinase activity have changed the treatment paradigm for children with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). However, off-target inhibition of kinases, such as src and c-kit, can result in impaired osteoblast function, cause an imbalance in calcium and phosphate metabolism, and result in growth impairment in children. The aim of our study was to examine growth over time in pediatric patients receiving TKIs for CML or Ph+ ALL.