A new study by the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) has demonstrated the potential impact of the anticancer drug Nilotinib on bone growth in adolescent subjects. The research was led by Dr Yasin Ibrahim Tayem, Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Prof. Tayem explained that Nilotinib belongs to the class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which are considered the most effective drugs for treating chronic myeloid leukaemia. Dr Wael Amin Nasreldin, Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy and a member of the research team, said the group investigated Nilotinib’s effects on skeletal development in adolescent rats by administering varying doses of the drug over a four-week period.

The study found that Nilotinib has adverse effects on bone health. Researchers observed reductions in key factors for healthy bone metabolism, including calcium levels and insulin-like growth factor. Dr Manal Othman, Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy, noted a decline in collagen, which is a fundamental component of bone, and disturbances in enzymes associated with bone formation and resorption. Histopathological evaluation of the femur revealed further damage, such as degeneration of bone plates and disintegration of cellular structures.

The team concluded that Nilotinib exerts harmful structural effects on bone development around puberty, placing this patient group at heightened risk of bone fragility. The study recommends long-term monitoring of bone growth and mineralisation in adolescents undergoing treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia with Nilotinib.

This research has been accepted for publication in Pharmaceutical Practice, a leading journal in the field.