Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Quantifying Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Tumor Spheroid Model: Application for Drug Discovery
13:19

Quantifying Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Tumor Spheroid Model: Application for Drug Discovery

Published on: April 26, 2024

Cardiotoxicity associated with the cancer therapeutic agent sunitinib malate

M L Telli1, R M Witteles, G A Fisher

  • 1Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 875 Blake Wilbur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

Annals of Oncology : Official Journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology
|April 26, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Sunitinib treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma can cause symptomatic heart failure in 15% of patients. Risk factors include prior heart failure and coronary artery disease, necessitating further research into sunitinib cardiotoxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Sunitinib is used for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
  • A phase III trial reported reversible left ventricular ejection fraction decline in 21% of patients.
  • A high incidence of symptomatic heart failure prompted this institutional review.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the incidence and risk factors of sunitinib-induced cardiotoxicity.
  • To evaluate symptomatic heart failure in patients treated with sunitinib.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patients treated with sunitinib at Stanford University (2004-2007).
  • Identification of patients with symptomatic grade 3/4 left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
  • Analysis of potential cardiac risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Seven out of 48 assessable patients (15%) developed symptomatic grade 3/4 left ventricular dysfunction.
  • Cardiac dysfunction occurred 22-435 days after sunitinib initiation.
  • History of congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and lower BMI were associated with increased risk.

Conclusions:

  • Sunitinib treatment resulted in symptomatic heart failure in 15% of patients at this institution.
  • Three patients experienced persistent cardiac dysfunction despite treatment.
  • Further research on sunitinib cardiotoxicity is crucial given its expanding oncologic use.

More Related Videos

Drug-Induced Senescence in Liver Cells Promotes M2 Macrophage Polarization: Implications for Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Associated Hepatotoxicity09:32

Drug-Induced Senescence in Liver Cells Promotes M2 Macrophage Polarization: Implications for Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Associated Hepatotoxicity

Published on: October 17, 2025

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment04:48

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment

Published on: January 7, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...