Oncology · Endocrinology · 3 h ago
Sunitinib Meta-analysis Finds Disease Control in Metastatic PPGL
A meta-analysis of sunitinib-treated arms from three prospective trials included 114 patients with metastatic pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas. The pooled objective response rate was 21.2%, and median progression-free survival was 11.9 months; evidence certainty was low to very low.
- Three prospective trials included 114 sunitinib-treated patients.
- Pooled objective response rate was 21.2%; all responses were partial.
- Median progression-free survival was 11.9 months.
- Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 57.8%.
Metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (mPPGLs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors with limited treatment options. This meta-analysis assessed prospective evidence on sunitinib efficacy and safety, drawing on three clinical trials involving 114 treated patients. Because only one trial included a comparator, the quantitative synthesis was conducted at the sunitinib-treatment-arm level.
The pooled objective response rate was 21.2% (95% CI, 11.7–35.3%); all responses were partial, with no complete responses. Stable disease occurred in 51.8% and progressive disease in 27.1%. Median progression-free survival was 11.9 months (95% CI, 6.9–16.9), and the 12-month progression-free survival rate was 48.2%. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 57.8%, with substantial heterogeneity; 13.2% discontinued treatment because of adverse events.
The findings suggest sunitinib may provide disease control for some patients, but the evidence was rated low to very low certainty. The small pooled sample, limited comparator data, and variability in serious adverse events constrain conclusions about comparative benefit and safety. The results do not establish that sunitinib should be preferred over other treatment options.
In practice
For clinicians treating metastatic pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas, pooled prospective data suggest sunitinib can produce disease control in a subset of patients: the objective response rate was 21.2% and median progression-free survival was 11.9 months. However, all responses were partial, grade 3 or higher adverse events were common, and the evidence was rated low to very low certainty. As the synthesis was largely based on treatment arms without comparators, it does not establish comparative benefit or support preferring sunitinib over other options.
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The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism: Efficacy and safety of sunitinib in treatment of advanced or metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas: A meta-analysis of sunitinib-treated arms from prospective clinical trials ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.