Cytoreductive Surgery in Patients With Metastatic Succinate Dehydrogenase-Deficient Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Katherine Y Chen1, Mark Antkowiak2, Ashwyn K Sharma2

  • 1University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA.

Abstract

Insights

Complete cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in patients with succinate dehydrogenase-deficient (SDH-deficient) gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) led to significantly longer disease control compared to systemic therapies. This suggests CRS may be a viable option for carefully selected GIST patients.

Area of Science:

  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Genetics and Genomics

Background:

  • Succinate dehydrogenase-deficient (SDH-deficient) GIST exhibits aggressive biology and poor response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
  • The efficacy of surgical intervention in SDH-deficient GIST remains a subject of debate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the role of complete cytoreductive surgery (CC-0 CRS) in managing metastatic SDH-deficient GIST.
  • To compare disease control after CRS with prior systemic therapy outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 9 metastatic SDH-deficient GIST patients undergoing CC-0 CRS (2017-2023).
  • Quantification of surgical complexity using Pathologic-Peritoneal Cancer Index (P-PCI) and GIST Metastatectomy-Surgical Complexity Score (GM-SCS).
  • Kaplan-Meier survival analysis comparing time to progression on first-line (TTP-1L) and second-to-last line (TTP-2L) systemic therapy versus time to recurrence (TTR) post-CRS.

Main Results:

  • Median P-PCI was 13 and median GM-SCS was 19.
  • Postoperative complication rate (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3) was 33.3% within 90 days.
  • Median TTR post-CRS (26.1 months) was significantly longer than median TTP-2L (3.4 months) (p≤0.0001). Median TTP-1L was unreached.

Conclusions:

  • Complete cytoreductive surgery (CC-0 CRS) in selected SDH-deficient GIST patients achieved prolonged disease control.
  • CRS may represent a valuable management strategy for highly selected SDH-deficient GIST patients.

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