(GIST) a rare type of sarcoma arising from the gastrointestinal tract (usually the stomach), characterized by the presence of the receptor c-kit/CD117 on the surface of the tumour cells, which stimulates division of these cells. It displays a wide range of malignant behaviour. Specific treatment is available with *tyrosine kinase inhibitors.... gastrointestinal stromal tumour
n. a *cytotoxic drug that works by inhibiting tyrosine kinases, enzymes that are active in some cancer cells (see tyrosine kinase inhibitor). Imatinib is used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia in which the *Philadelphia chromosome is present, *myeloproliferative disorders associated with abnormalities of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor gene, *gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The commonest side-effects are intestinal upset, fluid retention, and muscle pain and cramps.... imatinib
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