Imatinib Mesylate Treatment of Patients With Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

An Open-label Multicenter Phase II Study of Imatinib Mesylate Treatment of Patients With Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

This study assesses the safety and efficacy of imatinib mesylate treatment of patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors

Inclusion criteria:

• Patients ≥18 years of age
• Histologically documented diagnosis of malignant MPNST
• Unresectable local MPNST or metastatic MPNST and therefore incurable with any conventional multimodality approach Life expectancy of at least 6 months.

Exclusion criteria:

• Patient has received any other investigational agents within 28 days of first day of study drug dosing.
• Chemotherapy and or radiotherapy in between the last 6 weeks before study entry, surgery in between the last 14 days before study entry.
• Female patients who are pregnant or breast feeding or women of child bearing potential who are not using a highly effective method of birth control.
• Known CNS metastases

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.