Imatinib mesylate as treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands: report of two successfully treated cases.
BACKGROUND
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant neoplasia of the salivary glands that is treated primarily by surgery. Local control and survival are usually compromised despite surgery. Expression of KIT tyrosine kinase is involved in the pathogenesis of ACC. Imatinib mesylate is a potent inhibitor of KIT tyrosine kinase, so we explored the possibility that ACC could be a potential target for this drug.


METHODS
We report two cases of unresectable ACC treated with imatinib mesylate in the context of recurrent disease (case 1) and locally advanced tumor at its initial presentation (case 2).


RESULTS
Both patients responded well to treatment with imatinib mesylate. Significant regression of recurrent disease (case 1) resulted in a successful salvage surgical resection; the locally advanced tumor (case 2) had an excellent response to treatment, but, unfortunately, the patient refused salvage resection.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first time ACC is reported to respond to imatinib mesylate. Studies in which more patients are enrolled in controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm this observation.
Alcedo
Juan Carlos
JC
Centro Hemato-Oncológico Paitilla Edificio Royal Center, 5to. Piso Apartado Postal 0752 WTC Panama City, Panama. jcalcedo@cwpanama.net
Fábrega
José Manuel
JM
Arosemena
Juan Ramón
JR
Urrutia
Aníbal
A
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases