Novartis, the global leader in GIST therapy, has been working with healthcare professionals and patients worldwide to help improve the treatment of GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumors).
Novartis introduces GIST Alliance™, a unique support program designed to help healthcare professionals optimize outcomes in GIST patients.
GISTs are currently the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, with an estimated 3300 to 6000 new cases reported each year in the United States.1,2 Approximately 2500 of these cases are metastatic at diagnosis. 3
Novartis introduces GIST Alliance™, a unique support program designed to help healthcare professionals optimize outcomes in GIST patients.
Equipping physicians with tools to stay at the cutting edge of GIST management
Medical education materials that provide up-to-date knowledge of GIST management and recommendations for optimizing therapy
Empowering patients to participate more fully in their treatment
Disease awareness and educational materials for patients and caregivers that foster ongoing dialogue among you, your staff, and your patients
Please contact your local Novartis representative for information about educational and patient materials available in your country
Blood Level Testing and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
Therapeutic drug monitoring can be useful to establish a baseline of Glivec plasma concentration, monitor adherence, and optimize dosing of Glivec. This can be particularly valuable in patients who are not responding or are experiencing side effects.4,5
Corless CL, Heinrich MC. Molecular pathobiology of gastrointestinal stromal sarcomas. Annu Rev Pathol Mech Dis. 2008;3:557-586.
2.
Demetri GD, Benjamin RS, Blanke CD, et al. NCCN task force report: management of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)—update of the NCCN clinical practice guidelines. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2007;5(suppl2):S1–S29.
3.
Griffin JM, St Amand M, Demetri GD. Nursing implications of imatinib as molecularly targeted therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2005;9(2):161-169.
4.
Demetri GD, Wang Y, Wehrle E, Blanke C, Joensuu H, von Mehren M. Correlation of imatinib plasma levels with clinical benefit in patients (Pts) with unresectable/metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Presented at: ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium; January 25-27, 2008; Orlando, FL. Abstract 3 and Slides.
5.
von Mehren M, Wang Y, Joensuu H, Blanke CD, Wehrle E, Demetri GD. Imatinib pharmacokinetics (PK) and its correlation with clinical response in patients with unresectable/metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). J Clin Oncol. 2008;26(suppl):Abstract 4523.
