NCCN Task Force Report: Update on the Management of Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

TLDR

The standard of care for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) rapidly changed after the introduction of effective tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and a deeper understanding of GIST molecular characteristics has improved diagnosis and led to new immunomarkers, resistance mechanisms, and treatment strategies. The NCCN task force was convened to review recent advances, identify future research areas, and recommend optimal care approaches for GIST patients at all disease stages. The multidisciplinary panel met in October 2003, December 2006, and October 2009 to discuss these developments.

Abstract

The standard of care for managing patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) rapidly changed after the introduction of effective molecularly targeted therapies involving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as imatinib mesylate and sunitinib malate. A better understanding of the molecular characteristics of GISTs have improved the diagnostic accuracy and led to the discovery of novel immunomarkers and new mechanisms of resistance to TKI therapy, which in turn have resulted in the development of novel treatment strategies. To address these issues, the NCCN organized a task force consisting of a multidisciplinary panel of experts in the fields of medical oncology, surgical oncology, molecular diagnostics, and pathology to discuss the recent advances, identify areas of future research, and recommend an optimal approach to care for patients with GIST at all stages of disease. The task force met for the first time in October 2003 and again in December 2006 and October 2009. This supplement describes the recent developments in the field of GIST as discussed at the October 2009 meeting.