Imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): Northern Cancer Network Experience

F. Azribi, r. r. r. Razak, p. Dildey, j. Adam, j. Wilsdon and m. Verrill

Treatment of imatinib in unusable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has shifted the paradigm of treatment of this disease. Successful clinical trials of imatinib brought rapid regulatory approval and, in England and Wales, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence orientation (NICE) on the use of this technology.NICE detailed review of their recommended guidelines in clinical practice. Audit reflects that orientation and is designed to document the use of imatinib in routine clinical practice.

Methods: we conducted a retrospective audits of GIST patients treated with imatinib since 1 February 2002 to 31 March 2007. Information collected included patient demographics, the characteristics of the disease and details of the treatment administered, treatment response, toxicity and follow-up data.The primary goal was to record the disease control rate (DCR), defined as a lack of progress on computed tomography (CT) to 3 months. secondary end Points of the audits were devoid of overall survival and progression. These were compared with the results of published trials.

Results: were identified six thirty consecutive patients with diagnosed GIST treated with imatinib. The median age of patients was 70.1 years. During the analysis, patients were followed for a median of 41.6 months. In total, patients were treated to a median of 15,8 months.Treatment is generally well tolerated with a small percentage of patients experiencing the toxicity of grade 3/4. Control of the disease has been reported in 30 patients (DCR, 83.3%, 95% CI 67.2-93.6, intention to treat analysis).The median progression-free survival (PFS) in this cohort was 16.4 months (95% CI: 12.9-34,4);While the median overall survival (OS) was 39.7 months (95% CI: 22.8-56.5).

Conclusion: the data showed that treatment of patients with gist selected within the Guide NICE compares favorably to data previously published randomized studies of imatinib. registration of the note, the average age of this cohort is about 10 years earlier than the one reported in the trials. Imatinib was well tolerated with treatment related adverse events are acceptable.

Volume: 3 article number: 162 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer. 2010.162 received: 10/10/2009 published: 14/12/2009

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