Theme |
GIST : Current Progress on Diagnosis and Treatment |
Title |
Molecular Targeted Therapy for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) |
Author |
Seiko Saito |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama |
Author |
Toshiro Sugiyama |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama |
[ Summary ] |
Developments in molecular targeted therapy have improved the prognosis for patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). In Japan, imatinib is approved as a first-line therapy, while sunitinib is approved for imatinib-resistant GISTs. The effect of these drugs depends on the site of c-kit gene mutations related to oncogenesis. Imatinib has also been demonstrated to have an adjuvant effect to prevent post-surgical recurrence against high-risk GIST patients having complete resection. However, the duration of administration of medications and the indications for them are under investigation. |