The impact of new generic formulations of imatinib mesylate on general quality of life in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia patients

Abstract

Treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has dramatically changed the life expectancy of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients. Although the impact of first-generation TKIs on quality of life (QoL) was shown in CML, the effects of new generic formulations of imatinib mesylate (IM) are unclear. We evaluated differences in QoL under treatment with first- or second-generation TKIs. Fifty-two patients diagnosed with CP-CML completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionaire-C30, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and General Health Questionnaire. General QoL scores were similar between groups. There was a significant difference in the frequency of diarrhoea between IM group and the group using new generic formulations of IM (P = 0.012). General QoL score tended to be higher in patients with disease duration longer than 3 years (P = 0.052). GHQ, anxiety and depression scores correlated positively with symptom scales and negatively with functional subscales.CML patients using new generic formulations of IM reported a higher frequency of diarrhoea than patients using original IM and second-generation TKIs that could result in more drug discontinuation.

Generic Imatinib Mesylate as first line treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia

“…Uyanik MS et al [12], Klil-Drori AJ et al [13] ont montré une aggravation des effets secondaires après le passage de la molécule d'origine au générique. Chez les patients initialement mis sous générique, Abdalla Awidi et al ont montré que 89 % ont eu des effets secondaires dont 13,5 % sont de grade 3 et 4 [14].…”

“…Generic Imatinib Mesylate as first line treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Batna J Med Sci 2023;10(1):[12][13][14][15][16]…”

Current evidence on the efficacy and safety of generic imatinib in CML and the impact of generics on health care costs

“…Two additional studies showed significantly worsening toxicities under generics emerging after switching from the original molecule. 38,39 Most of these AEs were nausea, diarrhea, edema, muscle cramps, and fatigue, but only a couple of patients switched back to branded imatinib because of gastrointestinal toxicities in both studies. On the other hand, a recently published study displayed significantly improved muscle cramps, edema, fatigue, and diarrhea after switching to generics.…”