Sutent Description

Sutent (Sunitinib) is an angiogenesis inhibitor drug formulated to block tumor cell growth and prevent the formation of new blood vessels for those diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, or a rare type of cancer called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor if it has spread or is deemed inoperable. This is a treatment only as Sutent will not cure cancer.

How Sutent Helps to Treat Cancer

When taken as directed, Sutent blocks the action of cancer cells as they divide and multiply; which is what the cells in our body are designed to do except cancer cells do this much quicker. Sutent also targets a number of enzymes on blood vessel cells and tumor cells to inhibit the growth of new blood vessels in hopes of starving the tumor. Sutent is often prescribed along with other cancer treatments in order to target several stages of the cancer cells.

More About Why Sutent is Prescribed

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) starts in your kidney as one or more tumors. For more than half of RCC patients, the cancer is only in the kidney(s), and there is a 90% chance that it can be cured through surgery. If it has spread, then targeted therapy may be recommended by taking Sutent. In most cases, RCC is resistant to chemo and radiation therapy.

Sutent is also prescribed to treat a rare kind of cancer that occurs in the wall of the stomach and small intestine known as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). These tumors are caused by a particular abnormal tyrosine kinase, called c-kit. Sutent blocks the action of this enzyme, which stops the GIST cells from multiplying uncontrollably.

If you are currently taking Imatinib but it is not producing positive effects for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) or the side effects are too much to deal with, your doctor may recommend taking Sutent as it targets certain proteins in your body that Imatinib fails to do, helping to slow the growth of the tumor in some patients.

Before You Take Sutent

Discuss your medical history with your doctor or oncologist as some health conditions may affect how your body reacts to Sutent. List all over the counter medications and Rx drugs you are taking and include vitamin and dietary supplements so your doctor can determine if Sutent (Sunitinib) is the best medication for you.

What You Need to Know About Sutent

You will need to undergo frequent blood tests to check your liver function during treatment as Sutent can cause severe or fatal effects on your liver. Store all medications out of children’s reach and never share them with anyone else.

Possible Side Effects of Sutent

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Dry skin
• Cough

Notify your doctor right away if you experience itching, yellow skin or the whites of your eyes, dark urine, or pain in the upper right stomach area, as this could indicate liver problems.

Drugs Similar to Sutent

• Nexavar
• Gleevec
• Votrient