Clinical benefit of intermittent administration of imatinib in a patient with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour

Abstract Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but responsive to imatinib. Acquired resistance to imatinib has been reported in some patients, and several studies have suggested the possibility of overcoming imatinib resistance by increasing the dose of the drug. This case shows the possibility of obtaining clinical benefit with intermittent administration of imatinib in a patient who developed acquired resistance to a high dose of the drug.