• Akira Sawaki, Kenji Yamao, Tsuneya Nakamura, Takashi Suzuki, Kenji Okubo, Kazuo Hara, Hiroki Kawai, Yoshitaka Yamamura, Seiji Ito, Yoshinari Mochiduki, and Ryuzo Ohno.
• Department of Gastroenterology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, 1-1 Kanokoden, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-0021, Japan.
• J. Gastroenterol. 2004 Jan 1; 39 (4): 329-33.

BackgroundGastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common type of nonepithelial tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal stromal tumor is defined immunohistologically as a c-Kit-positive tumor. For those GISTs that are malignant, the only effective treatment modality has been surgical. Early clinical reports have shown that imatinib mesylate (STI571) produces substantial anticancer activity in patients with metastatic or unresectable GIST.MethodsNine Japanese patients who were found clinically and immunohistochemically to have inoperable GISTs were entered into this study. These patients were given 400 mg STI571 orally once daily. We then evaluated the tumor response and the safety of the drug.ResultsFive of the nine patients achieved partial responses, two had stable disease, and two had progressive disease. The main side effects were skin rash, edema, periorbital edema, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Mild anemia, leukocytopenia, and neutropenia were also noted. No patients required dose reduction or cessation because of adverse events.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that STI571 might be an active agent against malignant GIST in Japanese patients with manageable toxicities. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common type of nonepithelial tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal stromal tumor is defined immunohistologically as a c-Kit-positive tumor. For those GISTs that are malignant, the only effective treatment modality has been surgical. Early clinical reports have shown that imatinib mesylate (STI571) produces substantial anticancer activity in patients with metastatic or unresectable GIST.

24 keywords...

hide…