Clinical responses observed with imatinib or sorafenib in melanoma patients expressing mutations in KIT

Br J Cancer. 2010 Apr 13;102(8):1219-23. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605635. Epub 2010 Apr 6.

Abstract

Background: Mutations in KIT are more frequent in specific melanoma subtypes, and response to KIT inhibition is likely to depend on the identified mutation.

Methods: A total of 32 patients with metastatic acral or mucosal melanoma were screened for mutations in KIT exons 11, 13 and 17.

Results: KIT mutations were found in 38% of mucosal and in 6% of acral melanomas. Three patients were treated with imatinib and one with sorafenib. All four patients responded to treatment, but three have since progressed within the brain.

Conclusion: The observed clinical responses support further investigation of KIT inhibitors in metastatic melanoma, selected according to KIT mutation status.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benzamides
  • Benzenesulfonates / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Sorafenib

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Benzenesulfonates
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Piperazines
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Niacinamide
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Sorafenib
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit