Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of GISTs---By: Yilin Zhang

Target Drug Therapy for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor works differently from chemotherapy. The target drugs used in GISTs are tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). They target proteins that are tyrosine kinases such as KIT and PDGFRA. Specifically, Imatinib (Gleevec) blocks the ability for KIT and PDGFRA proteins to grow. Imatinib treatment is most useful when a GIST has been removed by surgery to prevent the risk of tumor-forming again. However, common side effects of Imatinib can include diarrhea, muscle pain, skin rashes, and affected heart function for some people. Another drug used is Sunitinib (Sutent), which is used only when Imatinib no longer works or cannot be used for the patient. Sunitinib also targets KIT and PDGFRA proteins. This drug mainly helps shrink and slow the growth process of the tumor. The side effects include diarrhea and irritation, but it also includes more severe effects such as high blood pressure, heart problems, holes forming inside the abdominal area, and hand-foot syndrome.