Current medical management for gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Patients with advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) had a dismal outcome before the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The introduction of imatinib, sunitinib and later regorafenib led to a significant improvement in survival. Recently, 2 new TKIs have been approved: ripretinib for fourth-line therapy and avapritinib as first-line therapy in patients harboring platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRA) exon 18 D842V mutations. The better understanding of the molecular genetics of GIST also led to an improved patient selection regarding adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment. This review aimed to provide an update on recent advances in the systemic treatment of GIST.