title: [Recent progress in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)].
abstract: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a quite common gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumor entity that has been recently established by pathologists. The prediction of the biologic behavior of GISTs is relatively difficult. Recently, classifications of the biologic behavior of GISTs according to metastatic potential (low risk, intermediate, high risk) have been proposed. The gain-of function mutation of c-kit proto-oncogene has been detected in GISTs and its role in molecular pathogenesis of GIST has been established. Imatinib mesylate (formerly STI 571, Glivec, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp, Switzerland) inhibits the tyrosin-kinase activity of KIT receptor, and clinical trials for GIST are in progress. In the past, no effective drug was known for the treatment of GISTs. Recently, the effectiveness of Imatinib mesylate in patients bearing metastatic GISTs has been reported. The treatment and prognosis of GIST will change significantly in the coming few years, as the clinical application of Imatinib mesylate becomes more common. In the near future, the value of Imatinib mesylate as a post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with GISTs without metastasis should be studied, and the way to classify GISTs according to biologic behavior will become quite important.
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit