Treatment of Patients With Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis With Glivec

NSF is a relatively newly defined fibrosing disease not described before 1997 where the Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) were introduced in patients with kidney disease. The association between NSF and GBCA has in many studies shown to be very strong. Until recently, radiologists believed that commercially available GBCAs were safe to use whether the renal function was normal or not. Since the 1980s, >200 million patients have been given these agents. Lately, the occurrence of NSF, a relatively new chronic disorder, has given serious speculations about the safety of these drugs and has questioned their future use. First identified in 1997, but not described until 2000, NSF has been reported only in patients with acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (with a glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min/1.73 m2).

Fibrosis in the subcutis means that the skin hardens and loses flexibility. Hard dermal plaque changes often appear on legs, arms and abdomen together with dyspigmentation. As the lesions involve the deep part of the subcutis the muscles are often affected. Involvement of the joints leads to contractures and narrowing of movement. Patients with massive affection of the joints often end up with a zimmer frame or in a wheelchair. The connecting tissue in the inner vital organs may also be affected and NSF can accelerate the death of the patient. The retained gadolinium in lesions of NSF can be found years after administration.

Interestingly, a case report suggests beneficial effects of imatinib mesylate in two patients. Two other independent case reports also show promising results.

Imatinib mesylate inhibits several tyrosine kinases involved in the fibrotic reaction, which is one of the main pathogenetic components of NSF.