Differential sensitivity to imatinib of 2 patients with metastatic sarcoma arising from dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans Journal Article


Authors: Maki, R. G.; Awan, R. A.; Dixon, R. H.; Jhanwar, S.; Antonescu, C. R.
Article Title: Differential sensitivity to imatinib of 2 patients with metastatic sarcoma arising from dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Abstract: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare superficial sarcoma usually affecting the trunk, with significant risk of local recurrence. It is characterized by the presence of ring chromosomes or chromosomal translocations fusing the promoter of the collagen gene COLIAI to the platelet-derived growth factor β-chain gene PDGFB, increasing the production of PDGF locally and promoting autocrine or paracrine tumor growth. Fewer than 5% of patients with DFSP develop metastatic sarcoma, with a poor subsequent prognosis. Imatinib (STI-571) was developed as an inhibitor of the PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase and has proven clinical activity against chronic myelogenous leukemia (expressing bcr-abl) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (expressing c-kit). We describe 2 patients with metastatic and unresectable metastases from DFSP treated with imatinib. After confirmation of negative CD117 status of 2 sarcomas arising from DFSP, patients were given imatinib 400 mg po qd and assessed at regular intervals for their tolerance and response to therapy. One patient had a transient response, then progressed rapidly and died of disease. Another patient showed a partial response to therapy after 2 months, with resolution of superior vena cava syndrome and shrinking of metastatic lung lesions. His response is ongoing after 6 months of therapy. These clinical data confirm findings from models of DFSP and support the use of imatinib in the rare setting of metastatic DFSP. Imatinib may be useful for patients with locally advanced DFSP, when other options for local therapy are limited. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry; adult; human tissue; treatment outcome; case report; antineoplastic agents; follow up; imatinib; cancer immunotherapy; metastasis; computer assisted tomography; skin neoplasms; recurrence; tomography, x-ray computed; platelet derived growth factor receptor; chronic myeloid leukemia; pyrimidines; time factors; protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor; sarcoma; platelet-derived growth factor; soft tissue sarcoma; piperazines; tyrosine kinase; dermatofibrosarcoma; superior cava vein syndrome; dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans; sti-571; pdgf receptor; humans; human; male; priority journal; article
Journal Title: International Journal of Cancer
Volume: 100
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0020-7136
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons  
Date Published: 2002-08-20
Start Page: 623
End Page: 626
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/ijc.10535
PUBMED: 12209598
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 14 November 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Cristina R Antonescu
    897 Antonescu
  2. Robert Maki
    240 Maki
  3. Suresh C Jhanwar
    293 Jhanwar