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Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Research and Clinical Trials

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Georgia's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, is committed to gastrointestinal stromal tumor research.

Researching Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Developing Novel Therapies at Winship

Thanks to research that is being done at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and other academic medical centers across the country, advanced surgical techniques and targeted therapies for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are improving.

Types of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Research

Several types of GIST research are underway all over the world. In the last several years, a great deal of progress has been made in GIST research, both in terms of our understanding of what drives the development of these tumors and the resistance they can develop toward biologic therapies, which, in turn, has led to the identification of newer treatment options. These include:

  • Targeted therapy research. Researchers have discovered that genetic changes (mutations) in the KIT or PDGFRA genes can cause GISTs to develop. By using targeted therapy drugs like imatinib (Gleevec) and sunitinib (Sutent), among others, doctors can specifically target the cancerous cells in the body that have these genetic mutations. Experts and researchers continue to study how these cancerous cells can become resistant to such treatments and how new mutations that develop in these resistant cells can be targeted with different therapies. Many clinical trials today focus on this effort — the creation of new drugs to target different proteins involved in tumor resistance and cancerous cell growth.
  • Immunotherapy research. The goal of immunotherapy is to activate a person’s own immune system to attack cancer cells. Several immunotherapy drugs can help to do this. These drugs include:
    • Immune checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs work by blocking checkpoint proteins, which helps the immune system find and attack cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are now used for many types of cancer, with great success. Several of these types of drugs are being studied on GISTs, such as nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy).
    • Monoclonal antibodies. Created in the lab, monoclonal antibodies attack specific parts of cancer cells. The antibody XmAb18087 is now being studied for GIST treatment.

Clinical Trials at Winship

Besides standard therapy, many Winship stomach cancer patients are eligible to participate in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are controlled studies that test new interventions on a disease, such as stomach cancer. They offer participants early access to novel treatments that are not yet commercially available.

Participating in GIST Clinical Research

Clinical trials are the third step of a five-step process for testing new therapies as outlined by the Food and Drug Administration. By the time a therapy comes to clinical trial, it has been tested in a laboratory setting and has passed preclinical safety standards.

As a research center, our physicians and scientists will make every effort to match you with a clinical trial that targets your unique cancer. It’s best if you enroll from the very beginning, so let your doctor know on your first visit if you’re interested in learning more about a clinical trial. Most clinical trials are supplemental, meaning you’ll still receive the standard therapy in addition to any treatment being studied.

Support for Clinical Trial Participation

Winship conducts stomach cancer clinical research at the following locations:

We welcome trial participants from all over Georgia and beyond. Talk with your doctor about whether you are eligible to participate in a clinical trial.