Sutent (Sunitinib) for Desmoid Tumor

Overview
Sunitinib is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumor, advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), adjuvant treatment of RCC, and advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors​​​​. While sunitinib is not FDA-approved for the treatment of desmoid tumors, it is sometimes prescribed off-label for this condition. The drug is sold under the brand name Sutent. 

Sunitinib is categorized as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), a type of medication thought to work by halting the growth and spread of cancer cells by inhibiting specific enzymes known as tyrosine kinases.

How do I take it?
Sunitinib is typically administered orally. The standard dosage and administration schedule vary based on the condition being treated but generally involves taking the medication daily for a set period, followed by a break. It’s important to follow your health care provider’s instructions regarding the dosage and administration for your specific condition.

Side effects
The most common side effects include fatigue, diarrhea, mucositis (inflammation of the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract), nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, hand-foot syndrome, hypertension (high blood pressure), bleeding events, dysgeusia (altered taste), dyspepsia (stomach upset), and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). 

Rate but serious side effects include fatal liver failure; heart problems such as myocardial ischemia, heart failure, and changes in heart rhythm; severe high blood pressure; bleeding and perforation of internal organs; kidney issues including tumor lysis syndrome and protein loss in urine; severe skin reactions like necrotizing fasciitis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome; a reversible brain condition known as posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome; thyroid dysfunction; low blood sugar; and osteonecrosis of the jaw. The drug also can impair wound healing and may harm an unborn baby.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Desmoid Tumors: Systemic Therapy — Wolters Kluwer UpToDate

Sutent — Sunitinib Malate Capsule