Trial To Study Targeted Antiangiogenesis Drug Sutent And Radiation Against Cancer

Last year, the drug Sutent (sunitinib) made headlines for its effectiveness against kidney and gastrointestinal cancers.

Now, radiation oncologist at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson in Philadelphia are hoping to find out if combining Sutent and radiation will help patients with a wide range of cancers.

Adam P. Dicker, M.D., Ph.D., professor of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, and his co-workers are enrolling patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial aimed at looking for potential side effects in patients receiving small amounts of the combination treatment for a variety of cancers, such as brain tumors and prostate, lung, and head and neck cancers. The trial stemmed from laboratory studies conducted at Jefferson.

Sutent works by inhibiting the action of various enzymes called tyrosine kinases that are involved in a tumor's blood supply. The drug halts the development of blood vessels growing into and feeding tumor growth, cutting its blood supply, as well as oxygen and nutrients. Both of these effects stop the tumor from growing. Dr. Dicker and his colleagues have laboratory data that indicate that when given together with radiation therapy, the combination will have a greater effect on tumors compared to either drug or radiation therapy alone.

"The study combines standard of care radiation therapy with an exciting anti-angiogenic drug that has already shown patient benefit in some cancers," explains Dr. Dicker. "It's the first time that this drug has been combined with radiation therapy.

According to Dr. Dicker, tumors rely on developing a blood supply of their own to grow, which is a process called angiogenesis. Interfering with angiogenesis has been shown to make tumors disappear or shrink in laboratory models. Drugs that block angiogenesis also have been shown to enhance the effects of radiation therapy in treating tumors.

"We're particularly excited about treating patients with brain metastasis because there are significant unmet treatment needs for these individuals," Dr. Dicker says.

The Jefferson team hopes to enroll approximately 20 patients.

"Other anti-angiogenics have shown demonstrable clinical benefit with radiation," he notes. "We think this is an area that has great promise."