Changes of serum fibroblast growth factor 2 levels before and after treatment with imatinib mesylate in patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Abstract

Objective To explore changes of serum fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) levels after treatment with imatinib mesylate in patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal sromal tumor.Methods Serum FGF2 levels (with ELISA) were determined in 27 patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor both before and after treatment with imatinib mesylate.Results Before treatment with imatinib mesylate,of 27 cases of unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor,17 cases (63.0 ％) were found positive for serum FGF2,after treatment with imatinib mesylate,9 cases (33.3 ％) were found positive for serum FGF2 (P ＜ 0.05).Using imatinib mesylate for 3 months,complete remission rate was 0,partial remission rate was 51.9 ％ (14/27),stable disease rate was 48.1％ (13/27) and progressive rate was 0.Conclusion Patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor have elevated serum FGF2 levels.Imatinib mesylate treatment can reduce serum FGF2 levels in patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Key words: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor; Fibroblast growth factor 2; Imatinib mesylate