Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a spectrum of disease

The majority of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) express c-kit, a growth factor receptor with tyrosine kinase activity. Mutations in the c-kit proto-oncogene may lead to constitutive ligand-independent activation of c-kit and subsequent neoplastic transformation. Selective tyrosine kinase inhi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Surgical oncology 2003-07, Vol.12 (1), p.21-26
Main Authors: Sturgeon, Cord, Chejfec, Gregorio, Espat, N.Joseph
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y
Antigens, CD34 - immunology
Biomarkers, Tumor - immunology
Cancer
Female
Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - immunology
Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - therapy
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Kinases
Male
Middle Aged
Mutation
Neoplasms, Connective Tissue - immunology
Neoplasms, Connective Tissue - therapy
Proteins
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - immunology
Treatment Outcome
Treatment strategies
Tumors
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Summary:The majority of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) express c-kit, a growth factor receptor with tyrosine kinase activity. Mutations in the c-kit proto-oncogene may lead to constitutive ligand-independent activation of c-kit and subsequent neoplastic transformation. Selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors target this property of GIST and have become the standard chemotherapy for metastatic or unresectable tumors. The mainstay of treatment, however, continues to be complete surgical resection. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors may prove expedient for adjuvant therapy, and are currently the focus of clinical trials conducted by the ACOSOG, RTOG, and ACRIN. It is important to distinguish GISTs from other mesenchymal tumors of the GI tract because of differences in natural history, as well as the efficacy of treatments targeting the GIST tyrosine kinase.
ISSN:0960-7404
1879-3320
DOI:10.1016/S0960-7404(02)00074-9