sunitinib at a glance
Medicine class
Targeted anticancer treatment; multikinase inhibitor
Main licensed uses
Selected gastrointestinal stromal, renal cell and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours in adults
Administration
Hard capsules taken by mouth, with or without food
Food interaction
Avoid grapefruit juice because it can increase sunitinib exposure
What is sunitinib used for?
Licensed uses in adults are:
Unresectable or metastatic malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumour after imatinib has failed because of resistance or intolerance.
Advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Unresectable or metastatic, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour that has progressed.
How does sunitinib work?
Sunitinib blocks several receptor tyrosine kinases, including VEGF, PDGF and KIT receptors. These signalling proteins help some tumours grow, develop blood vessels and spread; inhibiting them can slow tumour growth and angiogenesis.
sunitinib preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg
How to take sunitinib
Take the capsules exactly as directed by the specialist cancer team. The prescribed treatment pattern depends on the cancer being treated and may include planned breaks.
Swallow the capsules by mouth.
They may be taken with or without food.
Avoid grapefruit juice.
Do not alter or stop treatment without advice from the cancer team.
Tell the team if vomiting occurs soon after administration; do not automatically repeat the capsule.
sunitinib side effects
Common or expected effects
- Tiredness or weakness
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or indigestion
- Sore mouth or mouth inflammation
- Reduced appetite or altered taste
- High blood pressure
- Hand–foot skin reaction, rash, dry skin or skin and hair colour changes
- Headache or dizziness
- Low blood-cell counts
- Underactive thyroid
Get urgent medical advice
- Serious bleeding, including blood in vomit, sputum, urine or stool
- Heart failure, heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm
- Blood clot in the lung, stroke or other arterial clot
- Severe hypertension
- Liver or kidney failure
- Gastrointestinal perforation
- Severe infection or rapidly spreading soft-tissue infection
- Severe blistering or peeling skin reaction
- Thrombotic microangiopathy
- Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw
sunitinib in pregnancy
Sunitinib can harm a developing baby based on animal evidence and should generally be avoided during pregnancy unless a specialist judges that the potential benefit outweighs the risk. Effective contraception is required for people who could become pregnant; contact the oncology team promptly if pregnancy occurs or is planned.
sunitinib while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during sunitinib treatment because transfer into human milk is unknown and serious effects in a breastfed child are possible. Discuss infant feeding with the oncology and maternity teams.
sunitinib interactions
The oncology team should review prescription, non-prescription and herbal products before and during treatment.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including itraconazole, clarithromycin and ritonavir
May increase sunitinib exposure and toxicity; an alternative with less CYP3A4 inhibition is preferred where possible.
Grapefruit juice
May increase sunitinib concentrations and should be avoided.
Strong CYP3A4 inducers, including rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital
May reduce sunitinib exposure and effectiveness; alternative treatment should be considered.
Common questions about sunitinib
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What cancers is sunitinib licensed to treat?
It is licensed for selected gastrointestinal stromal tumours, advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma, and progressive unresectable or metastatic well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours in adults.
Is sunitinib chemotherapy?
It is usually described as a targeted anticancer treatment rather than conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. It blocks several protein kinases used by tumour cells and their blood vessels.
Can sunitinib be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.