Sunitinib

Indications

Cancer

Sutib capsule is indicated for the following conditions. Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST): it is used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumor in patients whose disease has progressed on, or who cannot tolerate, Imatinib Mesylate. Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): it is used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma. Adjuvant Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): it is used as adjuvant treatment for adult patients at high risk of recurrent RCC after nephrectomy. Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (pNET): it is used to treat progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Sunitinib is a small molecule that blocks several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Some of these receptors play a part in tumour growth, the abnormal formation of new blood vessels, and the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. When sunitinib was tested against a large number of kinases (more than 80), it was found to inhibit a number of them. These include the platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRα and PDGFRβ), the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3), the stem cell factor receptor (KIT), Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3), the colony stimulating factor receptor type 1 (CSF-1R), and the glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor receptor (RET).

Sunitinib has been shown to block the activity of these RTKs in both laboratory (biochemical) tests and tests on cells. Its effect on function has also been seen in cell proliferation tests, where it slows cell growth. The main metabolite of sunitinib is about as potent as sunitinib itself in both kinds of laboratory tests.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Sunitinib can cause harm to a developing fetus when given to a pregnant woman. There is currently no data available on pregnant women to determine this drug-related risk. If a patient uses it during pregnancy, or becomes pregnant while on this medicine, she should be informed of the potential danger to the unborn baby. It is not known whether Sunitinib or its breakdown products pass into human breast milk. Because Sutinib may cause serious adverse effects in a breastfed infant, a breastfeeding mother should be advised not to breastfeed while being treated with Sutinib and for at least 4 weeks after her final dose.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: For gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the recommended dose of Sunitinib is one 50 mg oral dose taken once daily. You take it for 4 weeks and then stop for 2 weeks (Schedule 4/2). Food doesn't matter, so it can be taken with or without a meal. For adjuvant treatment of RCC, the dose is also 50 mg taken orally once daily on Schedule 4/2, which means 4 weeks on treatment followed by 2 weeks off. This continues for nine 6-week cycles. It may be taken with or without food. For pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET), the recommended dose of Sunitinib is 37.5 mg taken orally once daily. Here there is no scheduled break, so the dose is taken continuously. Again, it may be taken with or without food.

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Indications

Pharmacology

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Dosage Reference

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

Key Interactions