Use

Testing for CD117/c‑kit expression may be a useful tool for the identification of several malignant neoplasms expressing c‑kit, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), mast cell diseases, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), and Ewing’s sarcoma. It may also aid in differentiating gastrointestinal stromal tumors from other intra‑abdominal mesenchymal tumors. Recent studies have indicated that the tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 (Gleevec) may be effective in treating CD117/c‑kit positive tumors; therefore, testing tumors for CD117/c‑kit immunoreactivity can assist in both diagnosis and prediction of drug sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment.