Open AccessBiomarkers to predict response to sunitinib therapy and prognosis in metastatic renal cell cancer
Author(s) -
Yuasa Takeshi,
Takahashi Shunji,
Hatake Kiyohiko,
Yonese Junji,
Fukui Iwao
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2011.02054.x
Subject(s) - sunitinib , medicine , renal cell carcinoma , tyrosine kinase inhibitor , clinical trial , vascular endothelial growth factor , cancer , oncology , tyrosine kinase , biomarker , kidney cancer , bioinformatics , vegf receptors , receptor , biology , biochemistry
Sunitinib is an orally‐administered, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The main targets are vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)‐1, VEGFR‐2, VEGFR‐3, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)‐α, and PDGFR‐β. Among therapeutic targeting agents, it is the best available in the USA for patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC). Well‐constructed clinical trials have led to the worldwide approval of various agents for RCC. However, in clinical practice, it remains difficult to determine the best treatment strategy with these agents. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers to predict response and side‐effects and to select optimal dosages is urgently needed. Potential mechanisms of action and resistance need to be understood in order to make accurate predictions. This article briefly reviews candidate biomarkers of sunitinib therapy in terms of clinical variables, genetic factors, and circulating proteins and endothelial cells. Although further validation and implementation is necessary, if validated, biomarkers will help measure the therapeutic response in individual patients and establish treatment strategies for metastatic RCC. ( Cancer Sci , 102: 1949–1957)