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Updated: Oct 14, 2025

Molecular and Immunologic Techniques in a Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Published on: May 2, 2022
Molecular Pathogenesis of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Paradigm for Personalized Medicine
Josephine K Dermawan1, Brian P Rubin1
1Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA; email: josephine.dermawan@gmail.com, rubinb2@ccf.org.
Abstract:
Over the past three to four decades, the molecular pathogenesis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) has been elucidated in great detail. In this review, we discuss the biological genesis of GISTs, identification of the various primary activating driver mutations (focusing on KIT and PDGFRA), oncogene addiction and targeted therapies with imatinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and the subsequent characterization of the various mechanisms of drug resistance. We illustrate how GIST has become a quintessential paradigm for personalized medicine.
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