Modern approaches to targeted therapy of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Results of a clinical study

This article presents the results of a prospective clinical study conducted at the National Center of Oncology and Hematology of the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety profile of targeted therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) using imatinib (Glivec). The study included 70 patients with histologically and immunohistochemically confirmed diagnosis of GIST. All patients received imatinib at a standard dose of 400 mg/day until disease progression or intolerance. A partial response was achieved in 70% of patients, 15% showed disease stabilization, and 10% had disease progression. Grade III–IV adverse events were observed in 20% of patients, while most tolerated the therapy well. The most common side effects were edema, fatigue, and skin rash. Median progression-free survival was 14 years in patients under 65 and 5 years in older patients. The study substantiates the use of imatinib as a firstline therapy for GIST, particularly in patients with KIT and PDGFRα sensitive mutations. Molecular diagnostics improve treatment outcomes and reduce resistance risks. The findings are consistent with international guidelines and support the role of imatinib in modern oncological practice