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Sunitinib: in advanced, well differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
1Adis, a Wolters Kluwer Business, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
Abstract:
Sunitinib inhibits several receptor tyrosine kinases involved in cancer growth, metastasis, and neoangiogenesis, with its active metabolite (SU012662) demonstrating similar potency. In a randomized, double-blind, multinational, phase III trial, continuous treatment with oral sunitinib 37.5 mg/day significantly prolonged median progression-free survival time (primary endpoint) ≈2-fold relative to placebo in adults with locally advanced and/or metastatic, well differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). Sunitinib was also associated with a significantly greater objective tumor response rate than placebo, although limited data from an updated analysis demonstrated no significant difference between the treatments groups in terms of median overall survival. Continuous treatment with sunitinib generally had no detrimental effect on health-related quality of life and was generally well tolerated in patients with pNETs in this trial, with most adverse events being manageable and of grade 1 or 2 severity.
Insights
Sunitinib significantly improved progression-free survival in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). This oral treatment was well-tolerated and did not negatively impact quality of life for patients with advanced pNETs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are rare neoplasms.
- Receptor tyrosine kinases play a role in cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sunitinib in patients with advanced pNETs.
- To assess the impact of sunitinib on progression-free survival and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, multinational, phase III trial.
- Continuous oral sunitinib 37.5 mg/day versus placebo.
- Primary endpoint: progression-free survival.
Main Results:
- Sunitinib approximately doubled median progression-free survival compared to placebo.
- Higher objective tumor response rate observed with sunitinib.
- No significant difference in overall survival between groups in updated analysis.
Conclusions:
- Continuous sunitinib treatment is effective in prolonging progression-free survival for advanced pNETs.
- Sunitinib was generally well-tolerated with manageable adverse events.
- Treatment did not detrimentally affect health-related quality of life.
