Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 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

Activity of sunitinib in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors

Matthew H Kulke1, Heinz-Josef Lenz, Neal J Meropol

  • 1Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Matthew_Kulke@dfci.harvard.edu

Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
|July 10, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Sunitinib showed antitumor activity in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, with 16.7% objective response rate. Further trials are needed to confirm efficacy in carcinoid tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) have limited treatment options with standard chemotherapy.
  • Neuroendocrine tumors express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR), making them potential targets for therapies like sunitinib.
  • Sunitinib malate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGFR and other receptors, investigated for NET treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and patient-reported outcomes of sunitinib in patients with advanced carcinoid and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
  • To assess the objective response rate (ORR), disease control, and survival in NET patients treated with sunitinib.
  • To determine the impact of sunitinib on quality of life and fatigue in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • A two-cohort, phase II study involving 109 advanced neuroendocrine tumor patients.
  • Patients received oral sunitinib (50 mg/d for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks off) in repeated 6-week cycles.
  • Outcomes assessed included tumor response, survival, adverse events, and patient-reported outcomes.

Main Results:

  • In pancreatic NET patients (n=66), the ORR was 16.7% and 68% had stable disease (SD).
  • In carcinoid patients (n=41), the ORR was 2.4% and 83% had SD.
  • Median time to progression was 7.7 months for pancreatic NETs and 10.2 months for carcinoids. One-year survival rates were 81.1% and 83.4%, respectively. No significant changes in quality of life or fatigue were noted.

Conclusions:

  • Sunitinib demonstrates antitumor activity in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
  • The efficacy of sunitinib against carcinoid tumors requires further investigation in randomized trials.
  • Randomized clinical trials of sunitinib for neuroendocrine tumors are warranted to confirm these findings.

More Related Videos

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma06:08

Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: June 2, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates these...
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...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...