Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Molecular and Immunologic Techniques in a Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Published on: May 2, 2022
Imatinib (Glivec) and gastrointestinal stromal tumours in Nigerians
Background:
To assess the response and the impact on the overall survival (OS) on c-KIT-positive (CD117+) gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) patients treated with imatinib mesylate.
Methods:
Between July 2003 and December 2012, consenting patients with advanced c-kit-positive GISTs were enrolled to receive imatinib mesylate therapy at a dose of 400mg - 800mg daily, supplied gratis by Novartis Pharma (Basel, Switzerland) under its GIPAP initiative. Disease severity was based on tumour site, size and mitotic index at diagnosis. Clinical features together with drug toxicity, haematological and biochemical parameters were monitored. Overall survival (OS) reviewed at 12 months intervals over 5 years was computed using Kaplan-Meier
Results:
There were 27 patients in all (17 males and 10 females with a median age of 52 years (range 26 - 83). Twenty three patients, 15 males and 8 females that have been followed up for at least 6 months were evaluated, aged 26-83 years (median = 56). There were 17 (73.9%) gastric tumours and 6 extragastric including 3 cases of peritoneum and 1 each of small gut, colon and rectum. At diagnosis, 21 (91.3%) cases were high risk, and 1 each fell into the intermediate and low risks, respectively. Ten patients (43.4%) including 5 with metastases presented with unresectable lesions. Five patients (21.7%) had complete tumour resection, 5 (3 with metastases) had partial resections and 3 others with non-bulky, nonmetastatic diseases underwent no surgery. Imatinib was used as the primary therapy for all patients, except the 5 patients that underwent complete tumour resection. Nine (39.1%) patients were lost to disease progression with a median survival of 16.7 +/- 10.7 (+/- SE) (95% CI = 0-37.6) months. The overall survival at 2 years for all patients was 71.9%, which dropped to 65.9% at 4 years.
Conclusions:
Although a small number of GISTs, imatinib induced an extended remission in patients with advanced disease, most of whom would have been dead within a few months of diagnosis.
Insights
Imatinib mesylate therapy significantly extended remission for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). This treatment improved overall survival for c-KIT-positive GIST patients, offering hope against a typically fatal diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are characterized by c-KIT (CD117) positivity.
- Advanced GISTs often present significant treatment challenges.
- Assessing the efficacy of targeted therapies is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the treatment response in patients with c-KIT-positive GISTs.
- To determine the impact of imatinib mesylate on overall survival (OS) in this patient cohort.
- To analyze clinical features, toxicity, and survival data for advanced GIST patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of advanced c-KIT-positive GIST patients received imatinib mesylate (400-800mg daily).
- Disease severity was assessed based on tumor site, size, and mitotic index.
- Overall survival was computed using Kaplan-Meier analysis over a 5-year period.
Main Results:
- 27 patients (17 males, 10 females, median age 52) were enrolled; 23 were evaluated for at least 6 months.
- Most tumors were gastric (73.9%), and 91.3% were high-risk at diagnosis.
- Median survival was 16.7 months, with 2-year and 4-year overall survival rates of 71.9% and 65.9%, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Imatinib mesylate demonstrated efficacy in inducing extended remission for advanced GISTs.
- The study highlights the significant survival benefit of imatinib in a patient group with a poor prognosis.
- Despite a small sample size, the findings support imatinib's role in managing advanced c-KIT-positive GISTs.
More Related Videos
06:43Robotic Duodenal Sleeve Resection for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor with Rare Exon 8 KIT Mutation Following Neoadjuvant Imatinib
Published on: April 3, 2026
09:38Establishment and Characterization of Three Afatinib-resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma PC-9 Cell Lines Developed with Increasing Doses of Afatinib
Published on: June 26, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:15Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle