New protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor launched by Pfizer
A new oncology treatment has been launched by Pfizer this week.
Sutent (sunitinib maleate) is, Pfizer says, the first cancer therapy
to be launched in the UK for two indications. It is a protein-tyrosine
kinase inhibitor with two second-line indications.
It is indicated for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal
stromal tumour (GIST) after failure of imatinib mesylate (Glivec) treatment,
due to resistance or intolerance, and for the treatment of advanced or
metastatic renal cell carcinoma after failure of interferon alfa or interleukin-2
therapy.
Sutent acts on multiple receptor tyrosine kinases implicated in tumour
growth, pathologic angiogenesis and the metastatic progression of cancer.
It works by inhibiting platelet-derived growth factor receptors, vascular
endothelial growth factor receptors, stem cell factor receptors, Fms-like
tyrosine kinsase-3, colony stimulating factor receptor and glial cell-line
derived neurotrophic factor receptor. Sutent’s summary of product
characteristics advises that co-administration with CYP3A4 inducers or
inhibitors should be avoided.
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