Combining targeted therapy with immunotherapy (interferon-α) Rational, efficacy in gastrointestinal stromal tumor model and implications in other malignancies

Imatinib revolutionized gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) treatment but median-progression-free-survival of unresectable/metastatic disease is, 2 y. B-RAF(V600)-mutated-melanoma responds to vemurafenib dramatically but median-progression-free-survival is, 9 mo. Combining imatinib with immunotherapy (peginterferon alpha-2b) in GIST showed significant induction of antitumor immunity and highly promising clinical outcomes. This strategy warrants further testing in other malignancies.