Imatinib for melanomas harboring mutationally activated or amplified KIT arising on mucosal, acral, and chronically sun-damaged skin.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Amplifications and mutations in the KIT proto-oncogene in subsets of melanomas provide therapeutic opportunities.

Patients and methods

We conducted a multicenter phase II trial of imatinib in metastatic mucosal, acral, or chronically sun-damaged (CSD) melanoma with KIT amplifications and/or mutations. Patients received imatinib 400 mg once per day or 400 mg twice per day if there was no initial response. Dose reductions were permitted for treatment-related toxicities. Additional oncogene mutation screening was performed by mass spectroscopy.

Results

Twenty-five patients were enrolled (24 evaluable). Eight patients (33%) had tumors with KIT mutations, 11 (46%) with KIT amplifications, and five (21%) with both. Median follow-up was 10.6 months (range, 3.7 to 27.

SUBMITTER: Hodi FS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4878082 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature