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news.Novartis' Glivec (imatinib) improved recurrence-free survival and overall survival in patients who are taking the medicine for three years following surgery for removing KIT (CD117)-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) compared to one year of treatment in SSG XVIII clinical trial.
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The results from the trial suggested that at five years 66% of patients taking Glivec for three years remained free of cancer recurrence (primary endpoint) compared to 48% who had received Glivec for only one year.
Additionally, in the trial 92% of patients taking Glivec for three years were alive (secondary endpoint) compared to 82% who had received Glivec for only one year.
University of Helsinki Oncology professor and principal investigator of the study Heikki Joensuu said this study confirms the hypothesis that extending the duration of Glivec treatment for patients following surgery improves recurrence-free survival.
"Results from this trial may positively impact clinical practice by helping physicians create the optimal treatment plan for patients with operable KIT+ GIST," Joensuu said.
Novartis Oncology president Herve Hoppenot said over the past nine years Glivec has provided KIT+ GIST patients with the first effective drug treatment option in the metastatic setting and later in the adjuvant setting.
"Now we see exciting new data showing that by extending post-surgical treatment duration to three years, Glivec has significant impact on overall survival in patients with KIT+ GIST," Hoppenot said.