[Effectiveness and safety of imatinib in seven gastrointestinal stromal tumor cases].
OBJECTIVE
To measure the effectiveness and safety of imatinib for gstrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).


METHODS
A retrospective study from 1993 through June 2005 by identifying all patients diagnosed with GIST by the Pathology Department. The medical records of those treated with imatinib were reviewed. Demographic, diagnostic, therapeutic, and outcome-related data were collected.


RESULTS
Twenty-five patients were identified, 7 of them treated with imatinib. Total responses were 4/7; 2/7 cases were complete responses, and 2/7 were partial responses. Mean actuarial disease-free survival was 10 months, and overall survival was 44 months. Adverse reactions (ARs) reported included: 33% (5) gastrointestinal events, 40% (6) dermatologic events and/or edema, 14% (2) blood toxicity, and 13% (2) asthenia. In all, 2/7 patients experienced no imatinib-related toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
In our experience, imatinib is an effective, well tolerated therapy for malignant [c-Kit (CD117)-positive], non-resectable and/or metastatic GIST.
Giménez Castellanos
J
J
Servicios de Farmacia Hospitalaria y Oncología Médica, Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez, Huelva. figicas@ono.com
Sánchez Gómez
E
E
Reina Zoiló
J J
JJ
Gabella Bazarot
E
E
Marín Ariza
I
I
Grutzmancher Saiz
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate