Background
Acquired resistance to imatinib is frequently caused by secondary KIT mutations. We have investigated the effects of imatinib in mice with human gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) xenograft which harbours a primary exon 11 deletion mutation and a secondary imatinib resistance mutation D816H in exon 17. Such mutations are commonly present in imatinib-resistant GIST in humans. Material and
Conclusion
Imatinib delays GIST xenograft growth despite the presence of the D816H resistance mutation. The schedule of imatinib administration may influence tumour glucose uptake rate and metabolic rate.
Material and methods
The mice were randomly allocated to receive imatinib either continuously or intermittently. Dynamic (18)F-FDG PET was performed and blood volume fraction (vB), rate transfer constants (k1, k2, k3) and metabolic rate of (18)F-FDG (MRFDG) were computed using a three-compartment model. Tumours were evaluated for the mitotic rate and the expression of HIF-1α , caspase-3 and glucose transporters (GLUTs).
Methods
The mice were randomly allocated to receive imatinib either continuously or intermittently. Dynamic (18)F-FDG PET was performed and blood volume fraction (vB), rate transfer constants (k1, k2, k3) and metabolic rate of (18)F-FDG (MRFDG) were computed using a three-compartment model. Tumours were evaluated for the mitotic rate and the expression of HIF-1α , caspase-3 and glucose transporters (GLUTs).
Results
Both intermittent and continuous imatinib delayed tumour growth significantly compared to controls, significantly in favour of the latter. k1 (representing perfusion, vascular permeability and binding of (18)F-FDG to the GLUTs) was significantly higher in the intermittent group compared to the continuous group, as was tumour GLUT-3 expression. k3 (representing internalisation of (18)F-FDG to the cells) and MR(FDG) were significantly lower.