Onkologie. 2010:4(5):318-321

Adjuvant therapy with imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Michaela Zezulová, Bohuslav Melichar

Onkologická klinika FN Olomouc

The paper describes the spectrum of therapeutic options and its specific features in gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) with a focus

on adjuvant therapy. The introduction deals with general information related to GIST, i. e. epidemiology, histopathology and symptomatology.

Given the fact that GIST is among radioresistant and chemoresistant tumours, the efficacy of imatinib mesylate (Glivec®),

a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor of c-kit, PDGFRA-alpha and bcr-abl, has been a significant breakthrough in the treatment of this tumour.

Therefore, the paper also summarizes the current knowledge of the indications for imatinib treatment and describes the assessment of

the risk of recurrence – there had been no TNM classification for GIST for a long time; therefore, the risk of recurrence was established

based on several criteria, including the tumour size, the number of mitoses per 50 high-power fields on the histological examination of

the tumour, and the tumour site and rupture, criteria which are also used in the new TNM classification. Additionally, the paper presents

an overview of clinical trials essential for adjuvant imatinib treatment and deals with the treatment options for patients with metastatic

or advanced disease as well as with another line of biological therapy, sunitinib (Sutent®).

Keywords: gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), adjuvancy, therapy, imanitib (Glivec®), sunitinib (Sutent®)

Published: December 31, 2010  Show citation