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Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Robotic Duodenal Sleeve Resection for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor with Rare Exon 8 KIT Mutation Following Neoadjuvant Imatinib
Published on: April 3, 2026
Mutational profile of KIT and PDGFRA genes in gastrointestinal stromal tumors in Peruvian samples
Introduction:
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms usually caused by somatic mutations in the genes KIT (c-kit) or PDGFRA. Mutation characterization has become an important exam for GIST patients because it is useful in predicting the response to the inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK).
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of KIT and PDGFRA mutations in 25 GIST samples collected over two years at two national reference hospitals in Peru. There were 21 samples collected from the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas (INEN, national cancer center) and 4 samples collected from Hospital A. Loayza.
Methods And Materials:
In this retrospective study, we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing of KIT (exons 9, 11, 13, and 17) and PDGFRA (exons 12 and 18) genes in 20 FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) and 5 frozen GIST samples.
Results:
We report 21 mutations, including deletions, duplications, and missense, no mutations in 2 samples, and 2 samples with no useful DNA for further analysis. Eighty-six percent of these mutations were located in exon 11 of KIT, and 14 % were located in exon 18 of PDGFRA.
Conclusions:
Our study identified mutations in 21 out of 25 GIST samples from 2 referential national hospitals in Peru, and the mutation proportion follows a global tendency observed from previous studies (i.e., the majority of samples presented KIT mutations followed by a minor percentage of PDGFRA mutations). This study presents the first mutation data of the KIT and PDGFRA genes from Peruvian individuals with GIST.
Insights
This study analyzed KIT and PDGFRA gene mutations in Peruvian gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Most GIST samples showed mutations, primarily in KIT exon 11, aligning with global trends.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Genetics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms.
- Somatic mutations in KIT or PDGFRA genes are common in GISTs.
- Mutation analysis aids in predicting response to receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of KIT and PDGFRA mutations in Peruvian GIST samples.
- To analyze mutation patterns in GIST patients from Peru.
- To provide the first mutation data for KIT and PDGFRA genes in Peruvian GIST patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 25 GIST samples from two Peruvian hospitals.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and DNA sequencing of KIT (exons 9, 11, 13, 17) and PDGFRA (exons 12, 18).
- Analysis of both formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and frozen GIST samples.
Main Results:
- Identified mutations in 21 out of 25 GIST samples.
- Eighty-six percent of mutations were in KIT exon 11; 14% were in PDGFRA exon 18.
- Two samples had no mutations, and two yielded no usable DNA.
Conclusions:
- The mutation profile in Peruvian GISTs largely mirrors global patterns.
- KIT mutations were most frequent, followed by PDGFRA mutations.
- This study establishes baseline KIT and PDGFRA mutation data for Peruvian GIST patients.

