Use of Neoadjuvant Imatinib to Facilitate Minimally Invasive Resection of Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Background Neoadjuvant imatinib is used to downstage surgery for large and/or unfavorably located gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), but data regarding minimally invasive surgery (MIS) after neoadjuvant imatinib are limited. Patients and Methods We analyzed patients undergoing resection of nonmetastatic primary gastric GISTs larger than or equal to 4.5 cm in diameter at our institution between 2009 and 2020, as no tumors below this size received neoadjuvant imatinib. Results We identified 71 patients, 43 of whom (61%) received neoadjuvant imatinib. Patients receiving neoadjuvant imatinib had larger tumors at diagnosis [median diameter 8.6 cm (range 4.5–25 cm) versus 5.9 cm (range 4.5–11 cm), p < 0.01]. After a median 7.2 months of imatinib, tumors shrank by a median 34% in diameter, such that there was no longer a significant size difference at time of surgery between groups (median 6.3 cm versus 5.9 cm, p = 0.69). Of 29 patients for whom neoadjuvant imatinib was used to facilitate MIS, 21 (72%) underwent successful MIS, which accounted for 49% of the entire neoadjuvant cohort. In a multivariable regression model, smaller tumor size at time of surgery was predictive of successful MIS, but tumor location was not. Conclusions Neoadjuvant imatinib caused significant tumor shrinkage, and MIS was successful in 72% of cases for which neoadjuvant imatinib was intended to facilitate it. Smaller tumor size at time of surgery, but not tumor location, was associated with successful MIS, which may help inform patient selection for neoadjuvant imatinib.