Imatinib Shows Hints of Promise for KIT-Mutated Melanomas

Although anti-BRAF treatments have received significant press of late, not all melanomas harbor BRAF mutations. Those that arise on mucosal, acral, and chronically sun-damaged (CSD) sites may harbor KIT alterations (mutations, amplifications, or both) instead. Given a different mechanism, these patients would likely benefit from some drug other than vemurafenib (see JW Dermatol Jun 6 2011).

Investigators conducted a preliminary phase 2, multicenter trial to examine the effectiveness of the KIT inhibitor imatinib (Gleevec) for KIT-mutated tumors. In 295 patients with tumors on acral, mucosal, and sites with apparent CSD who were screened for KIT mutations or amplification, roughly 23% of tumors harbored KIT alterations and 28% had either BRAF…