Abstract
Imatinib is approved worldwide for use in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two dose of imatinib treatment for patients with GISTs, a meta-analysis was performed. Electronic search of the PubMed and EMBASE, which have articles published between 1980 and February 2012, was conducted to select studies for this meta-analysis. Five articles with a total number 1861 of advanced GISTs patients were involved in this meta-analysis. There was a slight but significant 2-year PFS advantage with high-dose group (OR=1.25, 95% CIs=1.03-1.52, P=0.03), but not in the 2-year OS (OR=1.02, 95% CIs=0.84-1.24, P=0.87), CR (OR=1.02, 95% CIs=0.66-1.58, P=0.93), and PR (OR=1.13, 95% CIs=0.94-1.36, P=0.20). In safety, the high-dose group increased the incidence of above grade 3 toxicity (OR=2.05, 95% CIs=1.70-2.48, P<0.00001), particular in the blood toxicity, skin disorders, nausea and so on. This analysis confirms a slight 2-year PFS advantage of high-dose imatinib, but imatinib dose escalation could not lead to any other major clinical benefits, and brought more toxic effects for patients.
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