title: A phase II study of Imatinib for advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of head and neck salivary glands.
abstract: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands is characterized by a poor response to chemotherapy. Most cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma express the c-kit protein. Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) inhibits several protein-tyrosine kinases, including c-kit. We therefore hypothesized that Imatinib may be an effective drug in patients with locally advanced or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma and conducted a phase 2 trial in order to study this. Patients with locally advanced or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma and c-kit positive tumours were eligible. Fourteen patients were screened and 10 patients (71%) with c-kit positive tumours entered the study. Treatment was begun at a dose of Imatinib of 400mg/day. Dose escalation was allowed in the absence of toxicity. The dose was increased to 600mg/d in three patients and 800mg/d in one patient. Three patients required dose reduction to 300mg/d, due to grade 3 toxicity. No grade 4 toxicity was seen. No objective responses were seen. Two patients (20%) exhibited stable disease for 11 and 14 months, respectively. All other patients stopped treatment after 2-14 (median 6) months due to progressive disease. Imatinib has no major effect on advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 52621, Israel; Tel Aviv University Medical School, Israel. raphipf@sheba.health.gov.il
authors.forename: M Raphael
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pfeffer
authors.forename: Yoav
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Talmi
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Catane
authors.forename: Zvi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Symon
authors.forename: Ady
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yosepovitch
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levitt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate