Imatinib has been proposed as a therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors, owing to its side effects on KIT, a kinase often mutated in this type of tumor. This report shows that a key aspect of imatinib's effect is its modulation of antitumor immune responses by a mechanism regulating Ido expression. Combining imatinib with CTLA-4 blockade emerges as a potential efficacious therapeutic approach for gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
- Vinod P Balachandran
- Michael J Cavnar
- Ronald P DeMatteo
