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[Recent progress in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)]
Hajime Horiuchi1, Shoji Matsuya, Toshiro Konishi
1Dept. of Pathology, NTT EC Kanto Medical Center, 5-9-22 East-gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8625, Japan.
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer & Chemotherapy
|October 3, 2002
Summary
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are common but difficult to predict. Imatinib mesylate shows promise for treating metastatic GISTs, potentially changing future treatment and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Gastrointestinal Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
- Medical Oncology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a common mesenchymal tumor entity.
- Predicting the biologic behavior and metastatic potential of GISTs remains challenging.
- Gain-of-function mutations in the c-kit proto-oncogene are established in GIST pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of GIST biologic behavior.
- To highlight the role of imatinib mesylate in GIST treatment.
- To discuss the future implications of imatinib mesylate in GIST management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of GIST classification and treatment.
- Discussion of molecular pathogenesis, focusing on c-kit mutations.
- Analysis of emerging clinical data for imatinib mesylate in GIST.
Main Results:
- GISTs are classified by metastatic potential (low, intermediate, high risk).
- Imatinib mesylate inhibits KIT receptor tyrosine kinase activity.
- Early reports indicate effectiveness of imatinib mesylate for metastatic GISTs.
Conclusions:
- Imatinib mesylate is a promising therapeutic agent for GISTs, particularly metastatic cases.
- The clinical application of imatinib mesylate is expected to significantly alter GIST treatment and prognosis.
- Further studies are needed to evaluate imatinib mesylate as adjuvant chemotherapy for non-metastatic GISTs and refine GIST classification based on biologic behavior.