title: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
abstract: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are identified pathologically by the expression of KIT. The management of GISTs has been altered significantly by the development of imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against KIT and platelet-derived growth factor receptors. This article reviews the management of GISTs in the era of molecular therapies. The role of surgery alone or in combination with imatinib in the adjuvant and metastatic setting is discussed. GISTs resistant to imatinib are becoming a clinical challenge; this article discusses novel therapies under development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. Margaret.vonMehren@fccc.edu
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: von Mehren
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit