title: Imatinib mesylate therapy in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors: experience from a single institute.
abstract: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare soft tissue sarcomas arising primarily from mesenchymal tissue in the gastrointestinal tract and abdomen. Since there is no effective treatment in the advanced stages, the outcome is poor in such patients. Recently, imatinib mesylate, a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown a promising effect in GIST. Hence, we report our experience on the management of advanced GIST with imatinib therapy. A total of 14 patients were enrolled in this study, including 10 males and four females (median age, 51 years). The results showed that the small intestine was the most frequent site of primary lesion, while the liver was the most frequently metastasized organ. Most of the patients experienced tolerable side effects with imatinib therapy, including edema of periorbital area and/or legs and abdominal pain. Only two mortalities were noted during follow-up. The patients clinically benefited from imatinib therapy, with one patient having a complete response, three having a partial response, and seven having stable disease. The results demonstrate promising effects of imatinib in advanced GIST.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Hua
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Yi-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hui-Jen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Li-Tzong
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ching-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chieh-Han
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chuan
authors.forename: Jaw-Yuan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Sheau-Fang
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yi-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Sheng-Fung
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate