The efficacy and tolerability of a sunitinib 3-week administration schedule in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients: report of three cases

Oncol Res. 2012;20(5-6):259-64. doi: 10.3727/096504013x13589503482851.

Abstract

Sunitinib, an orally multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor and standard first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, is usually administered on a 6-week schedule. Toxicities reported with this drug are usually of moderate grade, which results in good treatment tolerability and patients' compliance. However, in some cases high-grade or prolonged toxicities require temporary treatment interruption or dose adjustment, possibly resulting in reduced treatment efficacy. We describe three cases of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients (a 53-year-old male, a 70-year-old woman, and a 65-year-old woman) who received a shortened 3-week sunitinib administration schedule, 2 weeks daily administration followed by 1 week of rest (2/1) due to toxicities developed on the classic 6-week schedule, which would have required a temporary treatment interruption or a dose reduction. Treatment was generally well tolerated with manageable toxicities. A 3-week administration schedule of sunitinib may represent a valid alternative for managing toxicity while maintaining the planned dose intensity over a 6-weeks period of time. Sunitinib may thus be administered using a flexible dosing schedule to meet individual patient needs, achieving better tolerability and maintaining significant response to treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indoles / administration & dosage*
  • Indoles / adverse effects
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Pyrroles / administration & dosage*
  • Pyrroles / adverse effects
  • Sunitinib

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Indoles
  • Pyrroles
  • Sunitinib