Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Utilization of Ultrasound Guided Tissue-directed Cellular Implantation for the Establishment of Biologically Relevant Metastatic Tumor Xenografts
Published on: May 25, 2018
Utilization of Sunitinib for Renal Cell Cancer: an Egyptian University hospital experience
1Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Depatment, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Background:
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) status as poor prognosis improved with the introduction of tyrosinekinase inhibitors, especially sunitinib. There is sparse data reporting from our region on use of sunitinib in metastatic RCC. Thus the present study explores sunitinib usage at our institute.
Materials And Methods:
An unselected population of patients with metastatic RCC receiving sunitinib was analyzed with respect to patient characteristics, response, toxicity, and outcomes.
Results:
Fortynine patients with a median age of 50.5 years (range 2171 years) were included. Most were male (61.2%). Twentyone (42.9%) had metastatic disease at presentation. Sunitinib was first line therapy in 45. Conventional clear cell carcinoma was the most common pathology present (39 patients; 79.59 %). The most common site of metastasis was the lung (75.5%). Most patients (30) were started at a dose of 50 mg once a day for 4 weeks and then 2 weeks rest. Clinical benefit rate was 73.5% (n= 36), and 22.5% (n=11) demonstrated progressive disease at first imaging evaluation within the first 36 months. The following objective response performed for patients was 48.9% (n=24) and progression at 24.5 % (n=12). The median followup was 16 months (range, 434 months), the overall estimated median PFS was 9 months and the estimated median OS was 15 months.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated sunitinib is tolerable and effective in advanced/metastatic RCC Egyptian patients and indicates we should further seek second and third lines to increase survival equivalence as reported in the worldwide literature.
Insights
Sunitinib is effective and well-tolerated for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in Egyptian patients. Further treatment lines are recommended to improve overall survival outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) prognosis has improved with tyrosine kinase inhibitors like sunitinib.
- Limited regional data exists on sunitinib use in mRCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore sunitinib usage patterns, efficacy, and safety in Egyptian patients with mRCC.
- To assess treatment outcomes in a real-world setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of an unselected mRCC patient cohort receiving sunitinib.
- Evaluation of patient demographics, disease characteristics, response, toxicity, and survival.
Main Results:
- 49 patients included; median age 50.5 years, 61.2% male.
- Sunitinib showed a 73.5% clinical benefit rate and 48.9% objective response rate.
- Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 15 months.
Conclusions:
- Sunitinib is a tolerable and effective treatment for advanced/metastatic RCC in Egyptian patients.
- Further investigation into second and third-line therapies is warranted to enhance survival.
- Findings support sunitinib's role in managing mRCC in the region.

