Squamous cutaneous epithelial cell carcinoma in two CML patients with progressive disease under imatinib treatment

Imatinib (glivec(R), formerly known as STI571) effectively blocks the ATP-binding site of the bcr/abl fusion protein thereby inactivating selectively the tyrosine kinase activity of bcr/abl. Therefore, it is a promising drug in Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia showing high hematologic and cytogenetic response rates combined with a mild toxicity profile. Here we report two cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, which appeared in the photoexposed areas in two elderly patients treated for advanced chronic myeloid leukemia with imatinib. The role of chemotherapy, chronic sun exposure and of possible additional risk factors such as human papillomavirus infection is discussed.