title: Response evaluation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
abstract: Clinical management of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) has dramatically changed with the introduction of novel therapeutics, such as imatinib mesylate. This has created a need to re-evaluate the existing criteria used to assess treatment response. The current Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors are based on unidimensional tumor size, and do not take into account changes in responding GISTs such as a decrease in tumor density and decrease in the number of intratumoral vessels with computed tomography (CT). Positron emission tomography (PET) has been found to be highly sensitive in detecting early response, and to be useful in predicting long-term response to imatinib in patients with metastatic GIST; however, widespread use of PET is limited because of a lack of scanner availability and cost constraints. Modified CT criteria using a combination of tumor density and tumor size are promising in early response evaluation, and have excellent prognostic value. Identifying appropriate treatment response criteria is essential to optimize treatment for patients with GIST.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Texas 77030, USA. hchoi@di.mdacc.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Haesun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D003287:Contrast Media; D018450:Disease Progression; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D003287:Contrast Media; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate