GIST originates from which cells?

GIST originates from which cells?

• A. Hepatic stellate cells
• B. Pancreatic acinar cells
• C. Biliary epithelial cells
• D. Interstitial cells of Cajal

Answer: (D)

GISTs come from the interstitial cells of Cajal, the GI tract’s pacemaker cells that regulate peristalsis. These cells reside in the muscularis propria and are characterized by KIT (CD117) expression, which is why many GISTs show strong KIT positivity and often have activating KIT or PDGFRA mutations. This origin explains why GISTs commonly arise in the stomach and small intestine, present as spindle or epithelioid tumors, and respond to targeted therapy like imatinib. The other cell types listed (hepatic stellate cells, pancreatic acinar cells, biliary epithelial cells) are not part of the GI tract’s pacemaker system and do not give rise to GISTs.

GISTs come from the interstitial cells of Cajal, the GI tract’s pacemaker cells that regulate peristalsis. These cells reside in the muscularis propria and are characterized by KIT (CD117) expression, which is why many GISTs show strong KIT positivity and often have activating KIT or PDGFRA mutations. This origin explains why GISTs commonly arise in the stomach and small intestine, present as spindle or epithelioid tumors, and respond to targeted therapy like imatinib. The other cell types listed (hepatic stellate cells, pancreatic acinar cells, biliary epithelial cells) are not part of the GI tract’s pacemaker system and do not give rise to GISTs.