Sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: An ethnic Asian subpopulation analysis for safety and efficacy

Aims: We evaluated and compared the safety and efficacy of sunitinib in Asian and non-Asian patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma enrolled in a previously reported global expanded access program. Methods: Previously treated and treatment-naïve patients received open-label sunitinib at a starting dose of 50mg/day for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks off treatment, in repeated 6-week cycles. Safety was assessed regularly, tumor measurements were performed per local practice, and survival data collected where possible. Results: Data were available for 212 Asian patients from Asian sites (Asian-A), 113 Asian patients from non-Asian sites (Asian-O) and 4046 non-Asian patients. The most common grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, asthenia and fatigue. The incidence of many adverse events was greater in Asian-A than in Asian-O or non-Asian patients. Sunitinib efficacy was comparable between Asian and non-Asian patients, with an objective response rate of 18% versus 14%; median progression-free survival of 8.7 versus 10.9 months; and overall survival of 18.9 versus 18.4 months, respectively. Conclusions: Sunitinib demonstrated tolerable safety and similar efficacy in Asian and non-Asian patients. Geographic differences in the reported frequency of specific adverse events were noted across Asian patients.