DNA analysis of kinase mutations can define a spectrum of tumors with different genotypes that have different gene expression and different clinical outcomes when treated with kinase inhibitors. The vast majority of GISTs express mutant KIT tyrosine kinases, which imatinib targets and treats effectively. However, more than half of patients develop resistance to imatinib, and their disease progresses after about 2 years. Mutational analysis could help predict which patients will succeed best with imatinib treatment.
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