Novel approaches in the treatment of systemic mastocytosis

Alfonso Quintas-Cardama, Ahmed Aribi, Jorge Cortes, Francis J. Giles, Hagop Kantarjian, Srdan Verstovsek*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the absence of curative options, therapy for aggressive forms of systemic mastocytosis (SM) has relied in the use of cytoreductive agents, mainly interferon-α (IFN-α) and cladribine. However, responses are transient and only occur in a subset of patients. Gain-of-function mutations at codon 816 of the KIT protooncogene lead to constitutively active Kit receptor molecules, which are central to the pathogenesis of SM. Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of SM have led to the development of small molecules targeting mutant Kit tyrosine kinase isoforms that significantly have widened the range of therapeutic options for patients with SM. Some of these promising agents, such as dasatinib, AMN107, and PKC412, currently are under investigation in clinical trials whereas, others are at different stages of preclinical development. In addition, monoclonal antibodies directed to neoplastic mast cell-restricted surface antigens constitute a viable option for the treatment of SM that warrants further investigation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1429-1439
Number of pages11
Journalcancer
Volume107
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2006

Keywords

  • Kit
  • Review
  • Systemic mastocytosis
  • Therapy
  • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Novel approaches in the treatment of systemic mastocytosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this