Division of Medical Oncology, Specialist in Internal Medicine, Institute of Oncology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Therapy targeted against the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway is a standard of care for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This study assessed the response rates and toxicity profiles of sunitinib on a continuous once-daily dosing regimen in Turkish patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Between April 2006 and August 2010, 74 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received sunitinib on a continuous, once-daily dosing regimen were included. Sunitinib was administered daily at a dose of either 37.5 mg (94% of the patients) or 25 mg (6% of the patients), without interruption, either as a second-line treatment after interferon-α or as a first-line treatment. Response, toxicity, progression-free survival and overall survival were evaluated.
Of the 74 patients, 65 (88%) were diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The median treatment duration was 10 months (range, 2-42 months). The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (75%), stomatitis (51%) and hypertension (50%). The most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were anemia (10%) and hand-foot syndrome (7%). Dose reductions were required in 50% of the patients, and early treatment discontinuation was necessary in 16% of the patients. Cardiovascular events were the most common adverse events that resulted in drug discontinuation. The objective response rate and the disease control rate were 30 and 78%, respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 13 and 25 months, respectively.
Continuous, once-daily administration of sunitinib was generally well tolerated in Turkish patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma in a daily practice setting. This study's response rates were comparable to those in previous randomized trials.
Written by:
Yildiz I, Sen F, Basaran M, Ekenel M, Agaoglu F, Darendeliler E, Tunc HM, Ozcan F, Bavbek S. Are you the author?
Reference: Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2011 Dec;41(12):1380-7.
doi: 10.1093/jjco/hyr151
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22013228
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