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Historically, gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) was misdiagnosed or went undiagnosed. This formerly "rare" disease is now recognised as having a much higher incidence than previously thought1,2.
The "molecular era" ushered in by Glivec® (imatinib) paved the way for researchers to elucidate the connections between genetic abnormalities and pathogenesis in cancers such as GISTs. Glivec specifically targets the surface tyrosine kinase receptor KIT (CD117), which is recognised as the hallmark immunohistochemical cell marker of GIST.
Before Glivec (Imatinib)
Before the availability of Glivec, the only treatments for GIST other than surgery were conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy3. GISTs are largely resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy4,5. Surgery is the current first-line option for treatment of localised primary resectable gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST)6. However, primary GISTs have a high risk of metastatic relapse after initial surgery for localised disease6. Prognosis of patients with advanced GIST disease was poor. In the pre-Glivec era, patients with recurrent or malignant GISTs resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy were reported to have a poor prognosis even after surgical resection, with median survival of 12 months7.
Targeting Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST) With Glivec
Glivec is approved for treatment of patients with KIT (CD117)-positive unresectable and/or metastatic malignant GIST. Before the availability of Glivec, patients with advanced GISTs had no effective treatment options. At 52-month follow-up, results of the pivotal phase 2 B2222 trial have demonstrated that 84% of patients with advanced GIST were able to achieve stable disease or better4,5 (16% achieved stable disease, 67% achieved a partial response, and 1% achieved a complete response). The median overall survival with Glivec is 4.8 years.
The success achieved with Glivec as therapy for KIT positive unresectable and/or metastatic malignant GIST has established Glivec as the standard of care for advanced GIST6.
In this section of the site, you will get the information you need to make a diagnosis of GIST, and explore the benefits of prescribing Glivec as treatment for unresectable and/or malignant metastatic GIST.
First, find out About GIST, including definition, epidemiology, and the role of KIT.
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