Is imatinib justified as an adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
Imatinib, an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of c-kit, was used as an adjuvant chemotherapy in two patients who underwent curative surgery for recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumors. One patient has maintained tumor-free survival for 12 months, while the other had rapid recurrence and metastasis of tumors 3 months after he discontinued the drug. The indication and effects of imatinib for prevention of recurrence of GIST after ablative surgery were discussed.
Lai
I-Rue
IR
Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. irlai@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
Hu
Rey-Heng
RH
Chang
King-Jen
KJ
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007078:Ileal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007580:Jejunal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate