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Gleevec has been approved to treat Kit-positive GISTs that cannot be removed surgically and/or that have become malignant (cancerous) and spread to other parts of the body. Gleevec targets the suspected cause of almost all GISTs—the abnormal Kit protein. In most GISTs, the Kit protein sends out a signal that tells GIST cells to keep growing. Gleevec works by blocking, or turning off, the signal from the Kit protein so that GIST cells should stop growing.

Gleevec can also target other proteins not involved in causing Ph+ CML or Kit-positive GIST. However, there are no controlled trials demonstrating a clinical benefit, such as improvement in disease-related symptoms or increased survival.

Gleevec comes in a tablet form that you take by mouth, instead of by injection, so treatment with Gleevec is convenient. (Gleevec PI, p 26, para 5) To get the most benefit from your treatment with Gleevec, be sure to take it exactly as your doctor prescribes.