Despite its dual effects on GIST cell viability, IGFBP3 appears to exert its effects through a KIT-independent mechanism, as imatinib-induced KIT inactivation has no effect on IGFBP3-mediated loss of cell viability in either GIST882 or GIST-T1 cells. The gene discussed is KIT; the disease is gastrointestinal stromal tumor.