Possible modulation of concurrent Parkinson’s disease in the management of metastatic GIST: a review of two cases

Watson-Fargie, T., Grosset, D.G. , White, J. and Cowie, F. (2018) Possible modulation of concurrent Parkinson’s disease in the management of metastatic GIST: a review of two cases. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 48(3), pp. 242-245. (doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2018.309) (PMID:30191913)

Abstract

Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the mainstay of treatment for resected high-risk (adjuvant and metastatic) gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) – a rare form of sarcoma. There has been recent research into the neuroprotective role and modulation of dopaminergic neurones by imatinib through the abl pathway in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We describe two patients from a single cancer centre with concurrent diagnoses of PD and metastatic GIST receiving imatinib and standard PD management. The cases highlight a potential reduction in PD progression using Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. Further research into repurposing of imatinib for PD may provide additional management options for this neurodegenerative illness.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Grosset, Professor Donald and White, Dr Jeffery and Watson-Fargie, Dr Taylor
• Authors: Watson-Fargie, T., Grosset, D.G., White, J., and Cowie, F.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• Publisher: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
• ISSN: 1478-2715
• ISSN (Online): 2042-8189
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 48(3):242-245
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License