GISTs are rare cancer tumors that show up in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, often in the stomach or small intestine. About 4,000-6,000 adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with GIST every year. The cause of GIST is unknown. There are no known lifestyle factors that cause GIST (such as diet or smoking).

About advanced GIST

What is the cause of GIST?

The exact cause of GIST isn’t fully understood. However, there are no known environmental or lifestyle factors that contribute to the risk of developing GIST. GIST is primarily caused when certain genes in the body change or mutate.

The most common gene mutations in people with GIST are:

KIT
PDGFRA
WILD TYPE
(no KIT or PDGFRA mutations)

Mutation testing for GIST

Doctors can do a test for certain gene mutations found in GIST. The tests can show:

What mutation you have (mutations in KIT or PDGFRA or wild-type GIST)
The location of the mutation

What is advanced GIST?

cannot be treated with surgery

has come back (recurrent) after surgery

has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic)

Has your advanced GIST progressed?

The most common medication for advanced GIST are tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). These medications find or target a kind of protein called a tyrosine kinase. Although TKIs are often used in advanced GIST, it’s best to talk to your doctor about what treatment is right for you.

Sometimes a treatment can stop working—even if it worked before. This is called drug resistance and commonly occurs when new or different mutations occur within the tumor.

There is another option if you've progressed on 3 prior treatments (including imatinib)

How QINLOCK may help

Learn more about QINLOCK for people with advanced GIST

Get the facts about QINLOCK

Frequently asked questions about GIST

What is GIST?

What role do mutations play in GIST?