This is an international, randomized, open-label, double-arm, phase III trial that will be conducted in centers in Latin America, Asia, Europe and Canada. The study will be sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Patient enrollment will be competitive and will have a duration of up to 30 months. An interim analysis is planned to occur when approximately 60% of the PFS events occurs. A total of 150 patients per arm will be enrolled in the study. Eligible patients will have advanced/metastatic, inoperable GIST of any anatomical location or recurrent GIST while on or post imatinib adjuvant therapy, with documented disease progression on therapy with imatinib 400 mg q.d.