Medication Summary
Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec), a 2-phenylaminopyridine that functions as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, targets the c-kit domain expressed by some GISTs.[10] It has been shown to improve disease-free intervals in patients after resection of the tumor. A similar compound, sunitinib (Sutent), has been shown to be effective in patients with mutant GIST cells that are resistant to imatinib mesylate.[11]
Clinical trials are currently investigating agents, such as AP13573 and ET743, in patients with advanced leiomyosarcomas, liposarcomas, or osteosarcomas.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Class Summary
These agents inhibit the signal transduction pathway regulated by receptor tyrosine kinase.
Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec)
Specifically designed to inhibit tyrosine kinase activity of bcr-abl kinase in GISTs. GISTs are characterized by expression of the product of the proto-oncogene c-kit and often harbor gain-of-function kit mutations, leading to ligand-independent kinase activation. Inhibits abl, kit, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) tyrosine kinase.
Sunitinib (Sutent)
Mulitkinase inhibitor that targets several tyrosine kinase inhibitors implicated in tumor growth, pathologic angiogenesis, and metastatic progression. Inhibits PDGFRs (ie, PDGFR-alpha, PDGFR-beta), vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (ie, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3), stem cell factor receptor (kit), Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3), colony-stimulating factor receptor type 1 (CSF-1R), and the glial cell-line–derived neurotrophic factor receptor (RET). Indicated for persons with GISTs whose disease has progressed or who are unable to tolerate treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec). Delays median time to tumor progression.
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