[Updates on adjuvant therapy in gastrointestinal stromal tumor]

Surgery remains the primary treatment for patients with localized gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), however, even after complete resection of the tumor, there is still a part of patients with tumor recurrence and metastasis. Imatinib, as adjuvant therapy in GIST patients with intermediate and high risk of recurrence, can significantly improve the disease-free survival, but whether it can prolong the overall survival is still unknown. It has reached a consensus that the intermediate and high risk patients should receive adjuvant therapy, but the duration for adjuvant therapy is still under investigation, especially for high-risk patients. Adjuvant therapy is recommended for at least 3 years, while in the end of adjuvant therapy, some patients still develop recurrence and metastasis. In 2017, results from PERSIST-5 study reported by the ASCO conference indicated that 5-year adjuvant therapy may further prolong disease-free survival of intermediate and high risk patients. In addition, adjuvant therapy is still not individualized based on the combination with different genotypes, and present adjuvant therapy is recommended for GIST patients with positive CD117 and intermediate-high risk of recurrence. It remains controversial whether different genotypes are associated with alternative adjuvant treatment options. Results of more researches are expected to provide better guidance for clinical treatment in the future.