The trial was testing the pill, SU-11248, as a treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

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The material was then treated with a series of enzymes and centrifuged until cells, known as adipose-derived stromal cells, remained.

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Gastointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) affects about 2, 000 people in the United States every year and almost nothing works in treating it.

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And Gleevec turned out to help in six other rare cancers, including a tumor of the gi tract called gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

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One piece of evidence is in the trials Demetri conducted of Sutent for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a deadly disease but a tiny market.

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Sutent is being submitted for both gastrointestinal stromal tumors that have failed to respond to Gleevec, a drug from Novartis and for kidney cancer that has not responded to other treatments.

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In particular, the potential for mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to differentiate into multiple phenotypes - like fat, cartilage and bone - make them ideal building blocks for bone and cartilage tissue engineering in orthopaedics and rheumatology.

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In November, NICE denied payment for a higher-than-standard dose of Glivec (Gleevec in the U.S.) for gastrointestinal stromal tumors, although some patients (14%, according to the manufacturer of the drug) would benefit from the higher dosage.

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Sutent is being submitted for both gastrointestinal stromal tumors that have failed to respond to Gleevec, a drug from Novartis (nyse: NVS - news - people ) and for kidney cancer that has not responded to other treatments.

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