Electrolyte disturbances and acute kidney injury induced by imatinib therapy

Imatinib mesylate is an anticancer agent that selectively inhibits protein kinases involved in the pathophysiology of cancer. It is now the first-line therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and is generally well tolerated. Here, we describe a case of a patient receiving imatinib for CML. The patient developed renal failure accompanied by severe hypophosphataemia, hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia. We discuss the pathophysiological characteristics of imatinib-induced renal injury, and we demonstrate that these electrolyte disturbances were caused by increased urinary excretion of phosphate and potassium. Early diagnosis and correction of imatinib-induced renal injury and electrolyte disorders can improve clinical outcomes.