A Phase II Study of Imatinib Versus Interferon as Adjuvant Therapy in KIT-mutated Melanoma

Inclusion Criteria: * Melanoma patients whose primary tumor and regional lymphonodes (if have)have been resected * Histologically documented AJCC stage IIB to IIIC * C-kit mutation documented from either primary or metastatic lymphnode site * ECOG performance status 0 or 1 * Age 18 years or older * Creatinine \< 1.5 x ULN * ANC \> 1500 ul * Platelets \> 100,000 ul * Total bilirubin, AST, and ALT \< 2 x ULN * Amylase and lipase \< 1.5 x ULN * no prior chemotherapy or investigational drug Exclusion Criteria: * Severe and/or uncontrolled medical disease * Pregnant or nursing mothers * Any other significant medical, surgical, or psychiatric condition that may interfere with compliance * Patient is \< 5 years free of another primary malignancy except: basal cell skin cancer or a cervical carcinoma in situ * Concurrent treatment with Warfarin * Prior treatment with c-kit inhibitor * Patient with Grade III/IV cardiac problems as defined by NYHA criteria * No H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors * Known chronic liver disease * Known diagnosis of HIV infection * Major surgery within 2 weeks prior to study entry * Patient has received any other investigational agent within 28 days of first study drug dosing * Chemotherapy within 4 weeks prior to study entry