Study of Imatinib and Peginterferon α-2b in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) Patients
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2009-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Imatinib (IM) has dramatically improved survival of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
However, most patients become resistant to IM in less than two years. This clinical trial
combines targeted therapy (IM) with immunotherapy (peginterferon α-2b). Hypothesis:
Apoptosis/necrosis of imatinib-sensitive GIST releases GIST-specific antigens in vivo while
Peginterferon α-2b fulfills the role of cytokine signal (danger signal), this combination can
induce effective innate and adaptive anti-GIST immunity, which can eradicate
imatinib-resistant clones and GIST stem cells via recognition of common antigens shared with
imatinib-sensitive GIST, leading to improved response rate and remission duration.