Response rates and adverse effects of continuous once-daily sunitinib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma: a single-center study in Turkey

Objective: Therapy targeted against the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway is a standard of care for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This study assessed the response rates and toxicity profiles of sunitinib on a continuous once-daily dosing regimen in Turkish patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Methods: Between April 2006 and August 2010, 74 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received sunitinib on a continuous, once-daily dosing regimen were included. Sunitinib was administered daily at a dose of either 37.5 mg (94% of the patients) or 25 mg (6% of the patients), without interruption, either as a second-line treatment after interferon-a or as a first-line treatment. Response, toxicity, progression-free survival and overall survival were evaluated. Results: Of the 74 patients, 65 (88%) were diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The median treatment duration was 10 months (range, 2‐42 months). The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (75%), stomatitis (51%) and hypertension (50%). The most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were anemia (10%) and hand‐foot syndrome (7%). Dose reductions were required in 50% of the patients, and early treatment discontinuation was necessary in 16% of the patients. Cardiovascular events were the most common adverse events that resulted in drug discontinuation. The objective response rate and the disease control rate were 30 and 78%, respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 13 and 25 months, respectively. Conclusions: Continuous, once-daily administration of sunitinib was generally well tolerated in Turkish patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma in a daily practice setting. This study’s response rates were comparable to those in previous randomized trials.