Hair Graying and Loss Induced by Imatinib Mesylate

A 35-year-old woman developed hair graying and loss after starting treatment with imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Two months into the treatment, she noticed hypopigmentation of her scalp and pubic hair, along with progressive hair shedding and generalized skin whitening. Despite using topical 3% minoxidil and nutritional supplements, her hair abnormalities persisted over a 15-month follow-up, although hair loss slightly decreased. Hair graying is a rare side effect of imatinib, with only two cases reported previously, and is thought to be due to inhibition of c-kit and its ligand stem cell factor, which are involved in pigmentation. The patient's diffuse hair loss is possibly related to the inhibition of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) by imatinib, leading to telogen effluvium. The case highlights the need for physicians to be aware of hair graying as a potential side effect of imatinib treatment.