Nilotinib in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors after imatinib and sunitinib therapy.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the outcomes of the patients with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor who failed imatinib and sunitinib treatment, and were treated with nilotinib within a compassionate use program.


METHODS
Patients who had previously received imatinib and sunitinib and had experienced disease progression or drug intolerance with this therapy were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, response to nilotinib and duration of response were evaluated along with adverse events.


RESULTS
Data of 7 patients (6 males and 1 female) who received nilotinib for at least 30 days were analyzed. Median age of the patients was 68 years (range, 47-70). Complete response was achieved in one patient. One patient experienced partial response, 2 patients stable disease and 3 patients had progressive disease with nilotinib treatment. No life threatening adverse events were observed. Three patients experienced grade 2-3 asthenia. No electrocardiographic changes were observed throughout the treatment period.


CONCLUSIONS
Nilotinib is active and may represent an alternative treatment choice in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor resistant to imatinib and sunitinib.
Ankara Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara, Turkey.
Omer
O
Dizdar
Suayib
S
Yalcin
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D057176:Compassionate Use Trials; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077210:Sunitinib
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D007211:Indoles; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D011758:Pyrroles; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; C498826:nilotinib; D000077210:Sunitinib