UNASSIGNED: e20514 Background: After a decade of IM, the efficacy and @entity137 of this drug are well known. However, there is a surprising paucity of data regarding IM treatment in elderly @entity1 (pts) both in @entity1860 as well as in @entity674 . Indeed, though encompassing elder @entity1 , the largest published series, the metaGIST study, reported a median age of 60 years. We evaluated in our prospectively collected database @entity137 and results of IM therapy in pts older than 74 and affected by unresectable @entity674 . METHODS: Between June 2004 and June 2010, 23 consecutive pts, mean age 79 yrs (range 75-90) affected by @entity674 were treated with IM. Daily starting dose of IM was 400 mg in 20 (87%) and 800 mg in 3 (13%) pts according to KIT mutation (mutation in Exon 11 and 9 in 14 and 3 pts, respectively). In all progressing pts treated with 400 mg, dose escalation was attempted. @entity1 were regularly followed and @entity137 recorded according to CTCAE 3.0 until last follow up visit due to progression or @entity204 . We compared the differences of observed vs. expected @entity137 and median progression-free survival (PFS) and @entity1349 ( @entity1349 ) calculated according to Kaplan and Meier method. RESULTS: In this elderly series, median number of comorbidities was 2 (range 1-6). At 400 mg dose, we observed 11 (48%) grade 3 and 4 @entity137 : @entity4 4 (17%), rash 3 (13%), @entity417 4 (17%). At 800 mg dose, we detected the following adverse events: @entity4 5 (22%), ocular 3 (13%), @entity417 5 (22%). We did not observe any IM related @entity204 , but @entity4 , @entity417 and @entity2194 were significantly different than expected ones (p=0.02). A full 800 mg dose was feasible in only 3 (13%) pts, but a 600 mg dose was tolerated in 7 (30%) pts. At time of last follow up, 8 (35%) pts were alive and on IM. The median PFS and @entity1349 were 29 and 49 months, respectively. 4 pts older than 80 were on IM for more than 4 years (range 4-6). CONCLUSIONS: In general, IM was well tolerated. Nevertheless, in elderly pts we suggest to carefully monitor @entity4 , @entity2194 and @entity417 which required IM dose reductions. In our experience, No @entity1 had to quit therapy because of uncontrolled side effects. IM had an efficacy comparable to younger pts, and we observed some prolonged freedoms from progression and @entity1349 .

Imatinib mesylate (IM) therapy in elderly @entity1 affected by advanced @entity674 ( XXXX ).

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity2194 :: ('MESH:D005128', 'Disease') :: ['ocular toxicity', 'ocular toxicities'] @entity137 :: ('MESH:D064420', 'Disease') :: ['toxicity', 'toxicities'] @entity417 :: ('MESH:D000740', 'Disease') :: ['anemia'] @entity4 :: ('MESH:D004487', 'Disease') :: ['edema'] @entity674 :: ('MESH:D046152', 'Disease') :: ['GIST'] @entity204 :: ('MESH:D003643', 'Disease') :: ['death'] @entity1860 :: ('MESH:D015464', 'Disease') :: ['chronic myeloid leukemia'] @entity1349 :: ('MESH:D011475', 'Disease') :: ['OS', 'overall survival']
@entity674 :: (MESH:D046152,Disease) :: ['GIST']
