Sunitinib is an oral, multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It blocks several proteins involved in tumour growth and in the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumours.
Approved uses
- Advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer), and as adjuvant treatment after kidney surgery for some patients at high risk of recurrence
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) after disease progression on, or intolerance to, imatinib
- Progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pancreatic NETs) that cannot be removed by surgery
Treatment schedules
Sunitinib is taken by mouth once a day, with or without food. The schedule depends on the cancer being treated:
- For kidney cancer and GIST, a common schedule is four weeks of treatment followed by two weeks off, repeated in six-week cycles
- For pancreatic NETs, it is usually taken every day without a planned break
Your oncologist will set your dose and schedule and may change them depending on how you tolerate treatment. Sunitinib 12.5 mg capsules allow the dose to be adjusted in small steps.
Monitoring during treatment
Regular check-ups usually include blood counts, liver tests, thyroid function and blood pressure. Some patients also have heart function tests.
Common side effects
- Tiredness and weakness
- Diarrhoea, nausea and indigestion
- Sore mouth and changes in taste
- Hand-foot skin reaction: redness, tenderness or blistering on the palms and soles
- High blood pressure
- Yellowish discolouration of the skin and changes in hair colour
- Underactive thyroid
Many side effects improve during the off-treatment weeks.
Contact your doctor promptly if you notice
- Yellowing of the eyes, dark urine or upper abdominal pain
- Bleeding that does not stop, blood in stool or vomit
- Shortness of breath, swelling of the legs or chest pain
- Fever or signs of infection
Practical tips
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice
- Do not take St John's wort or other herbal products without asking your oncologist, as they can change Sunitinib levels
- Keep a simple diary of doses and side effects to bring to each appointment
Important: This article is general information, not medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your oncologist and the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Do not start, stop or change any treatment on the basis of this article.