Imatinib mesylate, a selective inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase c-Kit and PDGFR, displayed concentration-dependent decreases in cell viability, induction of apoptosis with ligand-stimulated phosphorylation of c-Kit and PDGFR, and inhibition of VEGF expression in 7 neuroblastoma cell lines. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and neuroblastoma.