Background: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a hematological malignancy that originates in an abnormal pluripotent bone marrow stem cell. CML is consistently associated with the expression of the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, generated by the t(9;22) chromosomal translocation, thus creating the Philadelphia chromosome, a target for protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. There is no published data, demonstrating increased risk for development of second cancers, associated with the exposure to TKIs.
Case report: We report a case of a primary extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZBCL), diagnosed in a 53-year-old woman with CML receiving treatment with TKI the preceding seven years. Both diagnoses were confirmed by cytological/histological examination. Regarding CML, complete hematological, cytogenetic, and molecular remission was achieved by imatinib therapy. Regarding EMZBCL complete remission with an anthracycline-based polychemotherapy was achieved, while the patient was on continuous treatment with imatinib. Currently, the patient is in major molecular response for CML (151 months) and also in complete remission for EMZBCL (60 months).
Conclusion: We report this case as we consider that any secondary neoplasia developing in patients treated with TKIs should be reported for assessment and further detailed analyzes. Hippokratia 2016, 20(3): 241-243.
Keywords: Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma; chronic myeloid leukemia; tyrosine kinase inhibitor.