Fig. 5. Summary of imatinib effects on Mtb.

Imatinib has potent anti-Mtb effects in macrophages and in vivo. Imatinib alters trafficking of Mtb into acidified compartments and thereby facilitates bacterial killing by the macrophage. At doses lower than those used clinically for CML, imatinib induces myelopoiesis and mimics the emergency response to infection, thereby tuning the innate response to facilitate clearance.