After a median follow-up of 54 months, the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly greater in the 3-year arm compared to 1-year arm (66% vs. 48%, HR 0.46, P < .001 for RFS; 92% vs. 82%, HR 0.45, P = .02 for OS).69 Patients with KIT exon 11 mutant GIST derived the greatest benefit (RFS 71% vs. 41%).70 Additional studies, one phase II (PERSIST-5)71 and one single-center retrospective,72 have demonstrated potential benefit of continuing postoperative imatinib for 5 or more years. Here, KIT is linked to gastrointestinal stromal tumor.