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Sunitinib in malignant melanoma: a treatment option only for KIT-mutated patients?
Daniele Santini1, Bruno Vincenzi, Olga Venditti
1Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Sunitinib has previously been reported to be potentially effective in the treatment of malignant melanomas expressing c-KIT. Here we report on the case of a 77-year-old gentleman affected by a metastatic clear cell carcinoma of the kidney and a metastatic malignant melanoma with liver and lung metastases. Despite the negativity for CD117 and the absence of KIT amplification or mutations in the melanoma specimen, he achieved a partial response both in the lungs and in the liver while on sunitinib (50 mg once/day, 4 weeks on/2 weeks off) for the treatment of kidney cancer. To our knowledge, this represents the first evidence of sunitinib activity in KIT wild-type melanoma. Further studies should be performed to confirm these preliminary data.
Insights
Sunitinib showed partial response in a patient with metastatic melanoma, even without KIT mutations. This suggests potential sunitinib activity in KIT wild-type melanoma, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Sunitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor previously studied for malignant melanomas with c-KIT expression.
- Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and malignant melanoma can co-occur and present with metastatic disease.
Observation:
- A 77-year-old male patient presented with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma and metastatic malignant melanoma.
- The melanoma specimen was negative for CD117 and lacked KIT amplification or mutations.
Findings:
- The patient received sunitinib for kidney cancer treatment.
- Remarkably, the patient achieved a partial response in both liver and lung metastases from the melanoma while on sunitinib therapy.
- This response occurred despite the absence of specific KIT alterations in the melanoma.
Implications:
- This case provides the first evidence of sunitinib's potential efficacy in KIT wild-type melanoma.
- Further clinical studies are needed to validate these preliminary findings and explore sunitinib's role in this patient subgroup.
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