The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7323 p633
30 October 2004

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News summary

Imatinib approved first-line for GI stromal tumours

Imatinib (Glivec) should be available as first-line treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), says the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

New guidance recommends that imatinib treatment at 400mg/day is used as first-line management of people with KIT (CD 117)-positive unresectable or metastatic GISTs. It says that imatinib therapy should only be continued if a response to initial treatment is achieved within 12 weeks. Continuation of treatment is recommended at 400 mg/day until the tumour ceases to respond.