Rash with different types of BCR-ABL inhibitors in chronic myelogenous leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: A meta-analysis was conducted to systematically review the risks of all-grade as well as high-grade rash in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients using different types of BCR-ABL inhibitors. Methods: Literature published between 2000 and April 2022 were searched using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and ClinicalTrials.gov . Results: A total of 12 studies were included for meta-analysis. The results showed that the incidence of all-grade or high-grade rash associated with new-generation BCR-ABL inhibitors had no significant difference compared with a standard dose of imatinib. Subgroup analysis suggested that, compared with imatinib, the incidence of all grades of rash was higher in the nilotinib, bosutinib and ponatinib groups. Conclusion: For CML patients treated with nilotinib, bosutinib and ponatinib, the occurrence of skin toxicity should not be ignored.