Role of sunitinib for the management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Diane L Reidy-Lagunes1,2, Ed EW Wyluda11Gastrointestinal Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; 2Weill College of Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USAAbstract: Well differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can be subdivided into carcinoid and pancreatic NETs. Sunitinib is an orally administered multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor now multinationally approved for progressive pancreatic NETs but not for carcinoid tumors. The recommended dose as per the Phase III trial is 37.5 mg daily. In a Phase III trial, sunitinib demonstrated superior efficacy to best supportive care. As a result, sunitinib is now considered a standard treatment option for patients with progressive pancreatic NETs. Sunitinib has a distinct profile of adverse events, which will be discussed in this review. In addition, an in-depth critical review of sunitinib, with particular focus on the Phase III data, is discussed.Keywords: pNET, carcinoid tumor, pancreatic tumor