Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are a paradigm for the development of personalized treatment for cancer patients. The nearly simultaneous discovery of a biomarker that is reflective of their origin and the presence of gain-of-function kinase mutations in these tumours set the stage for more accurate diagnosis and the development of kinase inhibitor therapy. Subsequent studies of genotype and phenotype have led to a molecular classification of GIST and to treatment optimization on the basis of molecular subtype. The study of drug-resistant tumours has advanced our understanding of kinase biology, enabling the development of novel kinase inhibitors. Further improvements in GIST treatment may require targeting GIST stem cell populations and/or additional genomic events.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Benzamides
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Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / genetics*
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Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / metabolism
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Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / drug therapy
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Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / genetics*
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Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / metabolism
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Humans
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Imatinib Mesylate
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Mutation
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Piperazines / therapeutic use
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Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
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Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
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Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / genetics
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Succinate Dehydrogenase / genetics
Substances
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Benzamides
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Piperazines
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Protein Kinase Inhibitors
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Pyrimidines
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Imatinib Mesylate
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Succinate Dehydrogenase
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
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Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor