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Benefits from pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of sunitinib for clinical development
Marie-Paule Sablin1, Chantal Dreyer, Camelia Colichi
1U Inserm Université Paris VII, Hôpital Beaujon, Paris, France.
Importance Of The Field:
In the last 10 years, oncology has been greatly modified by the introduction of new drugs especially designed for molecular targets. Sunitinib belongs to the category of new drugs that inhibit multityrosine kinase receptors involved in the key steps of tumorigenesis and angiogenesis.
Areas Covered In This Review:
This article reviews the pharmacological and clinical aspects of sunitinib. Literature search was conducted in PubMed, and articles selected for relevance to pharmacology or clinical efficacy up to March 2010.
What The Reader Will Gain:
Pharmacology of sunitinib, data regarding clinical efficacy, and challenges to overcome resistance and improve outcomes of patients.
Take Home Message:
Sunitinib is an oral small molecule that displays mainly antiangiogenic properties and also direct antitumoral effects. Being well tolerated, this small molecule is now an essential treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors refractory or intolerant to imatinib, two localizations associated with a poor prognosis. Future developments include the extension of the indications of sunitinib in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, the evaluation of combinations with conventional cytotoxic and other targeted drugs and the development of strategy to overcome resistance to sunitinib.
Insights
Sunitinib, a targeted therapy, offers antiangiogenic and antitumoral effects for advanced cancers. It is a well-tolerated treatment for renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, with ongoing research into new applications and resistance strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
Background:
- Oncology has evolved with targeted molecular drugs.
- Sunitinib inhibits multityrosine kinase receptors crucial for tumorigenesis and angiogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review pharmacological and clinical aspects of sunitinib.
- Evaluate sunitinib's efficacy and challenges.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of PubMed up to March 2010.
- Selection of articles on sunitinib's pharmacology and clinical efficacy.
Main Results:
- Sunitinib exhibits antiangiogenic and direct antitumoral effects.
- Data on sunitinib's clinical efficacy, resistance, and outcome improvement.
Conclusions:
- Sunitinib is an oral small molecule effective for advanced renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
- Future directions include new indications, combination therapies, and resistance management.
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