title: Molecular targeting of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a new approach to a surgical disease.
abstract: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a low-grade malignancy of the skin and subcutaneous tissues that only rarely forms distant metastases. More than 90% of cases are associated with a chromosomal translocation involving the COL1A1 gene on chromosome 17 and the platelet-derived growth factor B gene on chromosome 22. Management of this disease is primarily surgical with excellent rates of local control obtained using either wide local excision or Mohs micrographic surgery. Data have recently shown that inhibiting platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR) with imatinib can induce high rates of clinical response in patients with unresectable or metastatic DFSP. These data have led to approval of imatinib by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating uresectable DFSP. Although wide surgical excision remains standard care, patients with locally advanced disease not suitable for surgical excision can be treated with the PDGFR-inhibitor imatinib, which sometimes allows residual DFSP to be surgically excised.
authors.affiliation: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, Australia. grant.mcarthur@petermac.org
authors.forename: Grant A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: McArthur
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D018223:Dermatofibrosarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008967:Molecular Biology; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate