Gleevec for follicular dendritic cell tumor – pro
Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is a rare, malignant, non-lymphoid cell-derived tumor that originates from B-lymphoid follicles of nodal and extranodal sites. These rare tumors form a spectrum within a rare and difficult to diagnose category of diseases known as histiocytic and dendritic cell neoplasms. It has been reported in around 100 cases in the literature, mostly for the head and neck region.As such, there are no standard treatmetn recommendations and no prospective studies. Gleevec is recommended based on a case report referenced below. In that case, imatinib was given in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin for treating a male patient with metastatic follicular dendritic sarcoma to the liver and lung and the patient achieved complete pathological remission confirmed by positron emission tomography (PET) scan after 8 cycles.
Perez-Ordoñez B, Rosai J
Follicular dendritic cell tumor: review of the entity.Semin Diagn Pathol. 1998 May;15(2):144-54
H.A. Azim et al, Imatinib in the Treatment of Follicular Dendritic Sarcoma: A Case Report and Review of LiteratureOnkologie Vol. 30, No. 7, 2007