First-line sunitinib treatment modification in patients with mRCC: nationwide analysis of the Swedish population

Future Oncol. 2024;20(38):3087-3097. doi: 10.1080/14796694.2024.2401309. Epub 2024 Oct 28.

Abstract

Aim: Assess first-line sunitinib dosing for treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in Swedish clinical practice (2006-2019).Materials & methods: Retrospective analysis of three sunitinib dosing regimens: 2-weeks on, 1-week off (2:1 Start); standard 4-weeks on, 2-weeks off (4:2) and 4:2 start with switch to 2:1 (2:1 Switch).Results: Time-to-treatment discontinuation (95% CI) differed significantly (p < 0.001): 6.2 (5.6-7.2), 13.9 (8.1-20.6) and 4.6 (4.3-5.6) months for 2:1 Start (n = 320), 2:1 Switch (n = 71) and 4:2 (n = 704), respectively. Overall survival (95% CI) differed significantly (p < 0.001): 21.8 (18.1-26.1), 32.2 (25.1-48.3) and 13.5 (12.3-15.8) months for 2:1 Start (n = 320), 2:1 Switch (n = 71) and 4:2 (n = 704), respectively.Conclusion: Alternative dosing does not compromise clinical efficacy and may provide advantages in terms of improved treatment outcomes. However, due to the changing treatment patterns during this long-term study, and the absence of patient risk category data, caution is required when interpreting the main outcomes.

Keywords: alternative dosing; real-world evidence; renal cell carcinoma; sunitinib; sweden.

Plain language summary

[Box: see text].

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / pathology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sunitinib* / administration & dosage
  • Sunitinib* / therapeutic use
  • Sweden / epidemiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Sunitinib
  • Antineoplastic Agents

Grants and funding