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Alternate sunitinib schedule decreased toxicity in mRCC
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Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received sunitinib in a 2-weeks-on, 1-week-off schedule experienced significantly less toxicity than those treated with the standard 4-weeks-on, 2-weeks off schedule, according to results of a retrospective study.
Although dose reductions often are required for patients treated with sunitinib (Sutent, Pfizer), maintaining adequate dosing and drug levels are essential for optimizing clinical efficacy.
Brian I. Rini
In the current study, Brian I. Rini, MD, a staff member in the department of solid tumor oncology at Cleveland Clinic and a HemOnc Today Editorial Board member, and colleagues reviewed the medical records of 30 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
All patients initially received sunitinib in the standard schedule but were changed to the 2-weeks-on, 1–week off (2/1) schedule after experiencing toxicity.
The median treatment duration was 12.6 months for the standard schedule vs. 11.9 months for the 2/1 schedule.
Ninety-seven percent of patients experienced grade 3 or grade 4 toxicity while on the standard schedule. After switching to the 2/1 schedule, 27% of patients experienced grade 3 toxicities (P=.0001) and no patients reported grade 4 toxicities.
The two most common toxicities — fatigue (P=.0003) and hand–foot syndrome (P=.0004) — were significantly less common during treatment with the 2/1 schedule than with the standard schedule.
Disclosure: See the study for a list of the researchers’ relevant financial disclosures.
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