A Study Using The Experimental Drug Called Imatinib (Gleevec) in Subjects With Systemic Sclerosis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of imatinib (gleevec) in
subjects who have systemic sclerosis. Imatinib has been approved by the FDA for the treatment
of newly diagnosed adult patients with CML (newly diagnosed adult patients and for the
treatment of patients with an accelerated phase. Imatinib is also approved for the treatment
of patients with a certain type of gastrointestinal cancer (called stromal tumors) but it has
not been approved to treat systemic sclerosis. Imatinib works by interfering with an enzyme
called tyrosine phosphatase resulting in suppression of the immune system. It als interferes
with a protein called platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFr) that has been linked to
increased fibrosis.