[STI571 for gastrointestinal stromal tumors]

Since the effectiveness of STI571 for GIST was reported, therapy for GIST has changed markedly, and the disease has attracted attention. We have treated 19 patients with GIST since 2000 by 19 resections (local resection in 14 patients, total gastrectomy in 2 patients, distal gastrectomy in 2 patients, and hepatectomy in 1 patient), and administered STI571 to 5 patients with unresectable or recurrent GIST. Of these 5 patients, 2, 1, 1, and 1 had PR, SD, PD, and inevaluable disease, respectively, with a response rate of 50%. The disease was controllable in 80% of the patients. All patients had palpebral and crural edema as side effects, which were not severe, suggesting the safety of the drug. It is important to tailor therapy (STI571 or surgery) to the patient.