Loss of interstitial cells of Cajal network in severe idiopathic gastroparesis.

Aim: To report a case of severe idiopathic gastroparesis in complete absence of Kit-positive gastric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC).

Methods: Gastric tissue from a patient with severe idiopathic gastroparesis unresponsive to medical treatment and requiring surgery was analyzed by conventional histology and immunohistochemistry.

Results: Gastric pacemaker cells expressing Kit receptor had completely disappeared while the local level of stem cell factor, the essential ligand for its development and maintenance, was increased.

Inhibition of cell survival and invasive potential of colorectal carcinoma cells by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571.

Inhibiting tyrosine kinases has recently emerged as a therapeutic modality in several forms of neoplasia. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 (IMATINIB MESYLATE; GLEEVEC; GLIVEC) is a case in point as it has shown promise in the treatment of malignancies expressing the BCR/ABL fusion protein. In addition to BCR/ABL, STI571 inhibits the tyrosine kinase moieties of several cell surface receptors including the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors and c-Kit.