Analysis of effect and safety of imatinib mesylate in the treatment of advanced, unresectable or metastatic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans        WANG Chun-meng*, LUO Zhi-guo, CHEN Yong, et al. *Department of Gastric and Soft Tissue Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Corresponding author: SHI Ying-qiang, E-mail: yingqiangshi@126.com
Abstract    Objective    To analyze the therapeutic effect and safety of patients with advanced, unresectable or metastatic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans （DFSP）treated with imatinib mesylate. Methods    The clinical data of 10 cases of DFSP admitted between February 2008 and April 2012 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were analyzed retrospectively. In all 10 cases of DFSP, there were 2 cases of primary tumor, 4 cases of recurrent tumor and 4 cases of metastatic lesions (2 cases of lung metastases and soft tissue metastases, 2 cases of soft tissue metastases only). All cases had been confirmed pathologically before imatinib treatment. Imatinib was used 400 mg/d initially and escalated to 800 mg/d. Results    The overall responses were 2 cases of complete responses (20%),5 cases of partial responses (50%), 2 cases of stable diseases (20%) and 1 case of progressive diseases (10%).The 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 30%. The 1-year overall survival and 2-year overall survival (OS) rate was 50% and 30% respectively. Conclusion    Imatinib therapy is the effective treatment in advanced, unresectable or metastatic DFSP cases currently, and the targeted therapy may potentially facilitate resection or decrease possible disfigurement.