DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i08.001

Pages: 2627-2634

Chronic myelogenous leukemia is characterized by the fusion gene BCR-ABL, encoding a constitutively active tyrosine kinase and treated by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib. Some case reports in literature suggest imatinib therapy may alter the pituitary hormones LH, FSH and prolactin levels affecting various functions of reproductive system. The study was designed to prospectively study serum LH, FSH and prolactin levels at baseline and at 6 months of imatinib treatment in 30 newly diagnosed BCR-ABL positive CML patients. The hormones were measured a highly accurate two-site sandwich immunoassay using chemiluminisence method on ADVIA Centaur system from Siemens. Of the 30 CML patients (17M & 13F), 2 patients presented in accelerated phase and 26 achieved haematological remission by 6 months. Baseline levels of LH, FSH and prolactin were similar in patients and controls. S. LH levels increased significantly after 6 months of imatinib therapy in male patients (13.82±4.25mIU/mL vs. 7.32±3.84mIU/mL, p =0.001) and in female patients (12.67±4.74mIU/mL vs.7.16±3.94mIU/mL, p =0.002). S. FSH levels increased significantly after 6 months of imatinib therapy in male patients (22.30±8.74mIU/mL vs. 11.77±7.23mIU/mL, p =0.003) and also in female patients (12.57±4.94mIU/mL vs. 5.51±1.82mIU/mL, p=0.005). Serum prolactin levels decreased significantly after 6 months of imatinib therapy in male patients (10.93±7.77ng/mL vs. 14.21±12.68ng/mL, p=0.039). Baseline levels of LH, FSH and prolactin were similar in patients and controls. The findings of significantly increased LH and FSH levels after imatinib therapy the present study are consistent with the previous reports that document the effect of imatinib on testicular function in adult male patients.....................