Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40140195›Full record

SynthesisJournal of gastrointestinal cancer2025

Neoadjuvant Imatinib in Recurrent/Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Proportions.

Niki Stavrou, Nikolaos Memos, Charalampos Filippatos, Theodoros N Sergentanis, Flora Zagouri, Maria Gavriatopoulou, Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of gastrointestinal cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Niki StavrouDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. ndstavrou@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7578-3001
Nikolaos MemosSurgical Department, School of Medicine, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Charalampos FilippatosDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Theodoros N SergentanisDepartment of Public Health Policy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.
Flora ZagouriDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Maria GavriatopoulouDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Ioannis Ntanasis-StathopoulosDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMetastatic and recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) present challenging clinical management. Imatinib is the standard first-line therapy, improving survival and reducing tumor burden in the neoadjuvant use, facilitating surgical intervention. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of neoadjuvant imatinib in metastatic/recurrent GISTs, highlighting its potential to enhance surgical outcomes and overall patient management.

methodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Scopus (end-of-search: February 13, 2025) for records on neoadjuvant imatinib therapy in recurrent/metastatic GISTs. Pooled proportions and 95% confidence intervals were calculated with common-effect and random-effects models. Subgroup and meta-regression analysis were performed, addressing heterogeneity and examining any potential association between the factors that varied and the outcomes reported. The present meta-analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

resultsThe search identified 957 articles, and 14 were analyzed. The meta-analysis of proportions indicated that 2-year and 5-year PFS were 76% (95% CI 58-88%) and 43% (95% CI 17-74%), respectively, while 2-year and 5-year OS were 84% (95% CI 78-89%) and 60% (95% CI 51-68%), respectively. The pooled R0 resection rate was 82% (95% CI 64-92%), associated positively with that of radiological partial response (PR) (β = 3.92, p < 0.001). Further meta-regression analysis yielded no significant association with preoperative imatinib duration.

conclusionThe present meta-analysis of trials and studies on metastatic or recurrent GISTs highlights key insights into post-surgery patient outcomes following neoadjuvant treatment with imatinib. Pooled effect estimates revealed promising 2-year and 5-year PFS rates of 76% and 43%, respectively, and 2-year and 5-year OS rates of 84% and 60%, respectively. Furthermore, the high pooled R0 resection rate of 82% emphasizes a substantial surgical efficacy in this population, while it was significantly correlated with successful R0 resections in patients with favorable outcomes.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsGastrointestinal NeoplasmsGastrointestinal Stromal TumorsImatinib MesylateNeoadjuvant TherapyNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalHumansAntineoplastic AgentsImatinib MesylateGastrointestinal stromal tumorImatinibMetastaticNeoadjuvantRecurrentSurgery

Identifiers

PMID40140195
PMCPMC11947046

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.