Neoadjuvant Therapy With Imatinib Mesylate On Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Objective:To analysis the clinical effect and adverse effect of imatinib on gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GISTs) as neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:7 patients with pathologically confirmed GISTs by aspiration biopsy, which were≥10cm or would lead to afunction of adjacent organs if operated, were administered imatinib mesylate 400mg/d for 3-6 months, and examined by computer tomography (CT) for evaluation of clinical efficiency according to Choi criteria every month. When acquiring the maximum effect, the patient would treated with a operation according to NCCN and ESMO guidelines. At the same time, the adverse effect was observed.Result:All 7 patients were neoadjvant treated with imatinib mesylate for 3-5.5 months respectively, acquired partial response (PR) totally, and disease control rate (DCR=CR+PR+SD) 100%.3 of 7 patients who achieved the max effect and underwent radical resections were treated with imatinib 400mg/d, with a average follow-up of 24 months, and all 3 patients were free of tumor. In addition, adverse effect of imatinib on GISTs was mild and toleratable.Conclusion:Imatinib is an efficacious and safe molecular target drug in the neoadjuvant treatment of GISTs.