stopped due to slow recruitment and no effect

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.