A 32-month follow-up study of nanovesicle concentrations in blood from 12 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour treated with imatinib.
Clinical studies have indicated that the NV (nanovesicle) concentration in blood samples is a potential indicator of clinical status and can be used to follow the development of the disease. For 32 months, we monitored the effect of imatinib treatment on NV concentrations in blood samples from 12 patients with GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumour). The NV concentration before the treatment increased with respect to control by a factor of 3.5 on average (range 2.6-9.2). The first week after initiation of the treatment, the NV concentration increased considerably, by a factor of 13 on average (range 5.9-21.2), whereas on average, after 1 month, it decreased to the level of the control and remained at that level for at least 1.5 years. Recent assessment (after 2.5 years) showed a somewhat increased NV concentration, by a factor of 2 on average (range 0.7-3.9). Low NV concentrations in blood samples during the treatment reflect a favourable effect of imatinib in these patients and no remission of the disease was hitherto observed.
Laboratory of Biophysics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Eva
E
Ogorevc
Roman
R
Stukelj
Apolonija
A
Bedina-Zavec
Vid
V
Suštar
Metka
M
Simundić
Veronika
V
Kralj-Iglič
Rado
R
Janša
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis; D001549:Benzamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate