Moreover, the level of FGF-2 in GIST T-1 supernatant increased on days 3 and 7 after IM treatment (data is not shown), thus suggesting the activation of the autocrine FGF/FGFR signaling loop in IM-treated GISTs which might attenuate the therapeutic (e.g., pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative) effects of IM-based therapy. The gene discussed is FGF2; the disease is gastrointestinal stromal tumor.