[Use of sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients with poor prognosis]

We evaluated overall and relapse-free survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) with poor prognosis. The study involved 92 patients (median age 54.1 years, male 63%, female 29%), retrospectively; 48.9% had poor prognosis. They received oral sunitinib 59 mg/day in 6 cycles (4 weeks on, 2 weeks off). Median overall survival was 17.6 months, relapse-free--10.8 months. Risk of progression in the poor and good prognosis groups was identical (HR=09). Overall response was 29% in poor prognosis and 40%--in good one (p = 0.07). Drug tolerability was acceptable in both groups. Sunitinib was effective in both groups of MRCC patients.