New onset diabetes manifesting as diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia treated with imatinib

Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2025 Apr 8;69(2):e240432. doi: 10.20945/2359-4292-2024-0432.

Abstract

Imatinibis a commonly used antiproliferative agent for treating chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and it is also thought to be effective in other areas, such as rheumatologic diseases. It has been shown to improve glucose control in diabetic patients by lowering blood sugar, reducing HbA1c levels, and decreasing the need for diabetes medications. However, we present a rare occurrence of severe hyperglycemia and newly elevated HbA1c in a patient on imatinib with no prior history of diabetes. It underscores the need for further research to assess the safety and impact of imatinib on glucose metabolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis* / chemically induced
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis* / diagnosis
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate* / adverse effects
  • Imatinib Mesylate* / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Imatinib Mesylate