title: [Treatment of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour with imatinib mesylate].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is the most frequent mesenchymal tumour type of the digestive tract. Between 30 and 40% of patients have high-risk, malignant GIST with poor prognosis after surgery. Imatinib mesylate is a recently introduced KIT tyrosine kinase inhibitor with effect on metastatic GIST. We report our experience with imatinib mesylate in the treatment of GIST.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients diagnosed with GIST have received imatinib mesylate since August 2001. Eight patients had metastatic disease, one patient received adjuvant treatment. The patients were evaluated according to standard protocols for clinical performance, effect of treatment, and adverse effects. Tumour tissue was analysed for mutational status in KIT and PDGFRA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients with metastatic disease had palliative benefit; three had partial response and the remaining stable disease. The single patient receiving adjuvant treatment had no sign of recurrence. Side effects were mainly mild diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Seven patients had mutations in KIT exon 11, one in KIT exon 9, and one in PDGFRA exon 12.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate that imatinib mesylate is an effective drug that can stabilise and reduce disease in patients with advanced GIST.
authors.affiliation: Avdeling for patologi, Haukeland Universitetssjukehus, 5021 Bergen. hans.haugland@helse-bergen.no
authors.forename: Hans K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Haugland
authors.forename: Nina L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Jebsen
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mannelqvist
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Skar
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eide
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Øvrebø
authors.forename: Arild
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: Dag K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Odd R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Monge
authors.forename: Peer K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Lilleng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate