Sutent
From Kidney Cancer Resource
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Overview
Sutent is a drug therapy from the group of cancer drugs known as targeted therapies.
Pfizer is the manufacturer of Sutent and Sutent is the trade/marketing name for the generic drug Sunitinib
To view Pfizer's web site on Sutent Click Here
To view Pfizer's Web Site Click Here
To view Pfizer's Health Care Professionals' web site for Sutent Click Here
To view Pfizer's Health Care Professionals' web site on the efficacy of Sutent for RCC Click Here
Sutent is an alternative newer treatment to the current accepted first line treatment of immunotherapy ( Interferon-Alpha), but trials have shown that it is more effective.
Sutent does not attack cancer cells like normal chemotherapy. Instead, it is designed to target (block) the formation of new blood vessels. To grow, a cancerous tumour requires many new blood vessels to bring in the nutrients it needs and also to carry away wastes. If Sutent is present in the body in an adequate amount, ideally the process of "feeding" the tumour is blocked. This is called anti-angiogenesis (which means "opposing the formation of blood vessels").
Sutent is not a curative drug for cancer; clinical trials have shown it to be effective and it may halt progression of the disease, it may give stability and it may cause shrinkage of the tumour(s)
It may be prescribed prior to nephrectomy to produce shrinkage in previously inoperable primary tumours.
Sutent is available by prescription only, in 28 dose packs..It comes in 12.5-mg, 25-mg, and 50-mg capsules. You take Sutent once per day by mouth. Do not open the capsules.
License History
Sutent was licensed for use in the Eurpean Union as a second-line treatment in July 2006 and as a first-line treatment in January 2007
please click this link to veiw the license European Public Assessment Report
UK Status
N.I.C.E published draft approval for Sutent on the 4th February 2009 - Sunitinib is recommended as a first-line treatment option for people with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma who are suitable for immunotherapy and have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
To view articles relevant to Kidney Cancer & the status of Sutent in Scotland as at 09-Jul-2007 Click Here
Sutent is available throughout Wales fully funded by the NHS as a first line treatment for mRCC
South Central Priorities Committees
(Berkshire PCTs) Interim Policy Statement 118: Sunitinib for first or second line treatment of metastatic/advanced renal cell cancer
Ref TV120
Date of Issue: January 2008
The South Central Priorities Committees recommend that Sunitinib for first or second line treatment of metastatic/advanced renal cell cancer is a LOW PRIORITY due to limited evidence of clinical effectiveness and lack of evidence of cost-effectiveness.
There are around 300 new renal cell cancers diagnosed per year in South Central. Around 65% (i.e. 195 patients) will either present with or eventually progress to metastatic/advanced RCC.
Median survival for advanced/metastatic disease is only 6-12 months. 2 year survival is 10-20% and 5 year survival 10%. Previously, treatment options for advanced disease have been limited. Immunotherapy with interferon alpha or interleukin 2 has a low response rate and is poorly tolerated.
Summary
One ongoing RCT comparing Sunitinib with interferon in first line treatment has published interim analysis in January 2007.
Data so far show Sunitinib achieved longer progression free survival than interferon (11 months vs 4 months) and although more patients responded to Sunitinib than Interferon, this was still only a 30% response rate.
However, South Central Priorities Committees noted that Sunitinib has not yet been shown to increase overall survival. Two uncontrolled trials have shown sunitinib to be active in second line use in patients who had progressed after interferon.
42% of patients responded, median progression free survival (PFS) was 8 months. However, as there was no control group, the progression free survival advantage due to Sunitinib cannot be quantified, nor can its effects on overall survival.
There are no published studies of cost-effectiveness.
The modelling carried out by the manufacturers for submission to Scottish Medicines Consortium, and funding bodies in Canada and Australia led these bodies to conclude that it was not cost effective. The South Central Priorities Support Unit noted that this modeling was not available for PCTs to evaluate. NICE Guidance is expected in January 2009.
NOTES:
1. Exceptional circumstances may be considered where there is evidence of significant health impairment and there is also evidence of the intervention improving health status.
2. This policy will be reviewed in the light of new evidence or guidance from NICE.
3. Berkshire Priorities Committee policy statements and minutes can be viewed at www.berkshire.nhs.uk/priorities
Detail from Click Here
Further General Data
NetDoctor on Sutent
- Broad Overview Data of Sutent
Articles
Click Here for a list of all 2009 Articles
Click Here for a list of all 2008 Articles
Click Here for a list of all 2007 Articles
Click Here for a list of all 2006 Articles
Side Effects
Blood pressure problems
Nose Bleeds
Tiredness and fatique
Hands &/or Feet soreness
Reflux severe acid heartburn
Mouth & Throat Soreness
Yellow Skin
itching scalp
mouth ulcers
Please consult your GP or Hospital Clinician for advice on any side effects from Sutent in particular raised blood pressure and reflux
Personal Experiences
Sutent - 12 days into 2nd. Cycle
- A brief personal review of Sutent....
Sutent - After 6 Cycles
- A brief personal review & Video Clip....
Sutent - After 8 Cycles
- A brief personal review....
References
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