Neoadjuvant therapy of imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumors and the timing of surgery / 中华胃肠外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Imatinib is the key medication for adjuvant therapy in gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST) and the first line therapy for patients with metastatic or recurrent GIST. Preoperative treatment with imatinib may improve R0 resection rate and provide the chance of metastasectomy for cytoreduction as well as prolonging patient's survival. We investigate the significance of neoadjuvant therapy of imatinib and the timing of surgery by reviewing clinical trials and consensus in recent years.