Authors' objectives:

This study aims to assess the clinical effects of imatinib alone or in combination with other treatments in people with gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), compared with other systemic, surgical or supportive treatments.

Authors' recommendations: We found no evidence of effects of imatinib in people with resectable or benign GIST, many of whom have an excellent prognosis following resection. In people with unresectable or metastatic GIST, prognosis is reported as poor. We found no studies directly comparing imatinib versus other or no treatment. Conclusions about relative effectiveness and safety depend on historical comparisons with untreated populations and, therefore, have limited reliability. The identified studies suggest that imatinib is a promising therapy in people with advanced GIST, particularly if it is the case that prognosis is uniformly poor with other management. However, it is not clear how people should be selected for treatment, what dose and duration should be used and, most importantly, whether clinical benefits will outweigh risks. Further trials are currently underway, which may help to address these issues.7,8 Until further results become available, imatinib continues to be an experimental treatment for GIST, which should be given in the context of research protocols.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.wihrd.soton.ac.uk

Year Published: 2002

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development

Contact Address: Pauline King. Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, Boldrewood Medical School, Bassett Crescent East, Highfield, Southampton. SO16 7PX Tel. +44 1703 595661 Fax +44 1703 595662

Copyright: Bazian Ltd, Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development