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Sunitinib does not accelerate tumor growth in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Krastan B Blagoev1, Julia Wilkerson, Wilfred D Stein

  • 1National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22030, USA. kblagoev@nsf.gov

Cell Reports
|February 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Sunitinib does not accelerate cancer growth or shorten survival in humans, contrary to animal studies. Clinical trial data shows sunitinib is safe and improves survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Preclinical studies suggested sunitinib may accelerate metastasis.
  • Potential mechanisms include vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibition or tumor adaptation.
  • This raised concerns about sunitinib's safety and efficacy in human patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether sunitinib accelerates tumor growth and reduces survival in human cancer patients.
  • To evaluate the clinical relevance of preclinical findings in a human setting.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from a pivotal randomized phase III clinical trial.
  • Comparison of sunitinib versus interferon alfa in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
  • Assessment of survival outcomes and tumor growth rates.

Main Results:

  • Sunitinib was not found to be harmful or to accelerate tumor growth in humans.
  • Neither prolonged sunitinib treatment nor enhanced tumor response reduced patient survival.
  • Sunitinib effectively reduced tumor growth rate during administration, improving survival.
  • Tumor biology did not appear to be altered after sunitinib discontinuation.

Conclusions:

  • Preclinical concerns regarding sunitinib accelerating metastases in animals do not apply to human patients.
  • Sunitinib is a safe and effective treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, improving survival without accelerating tumor progression.
  • Findings suggest similar agents may also be safe for human use.

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