title: Combining radiotherapy with sunitinib: lessons (to be) learned.
abstract: To improve the efficacy of radiotherapy (RTx), there is a growing interest in combining RTx with drugs that inhibit angiogenesis, i.e., the process of neo-vessel formation out of preexisting capillaries. A frequently used drug to inhibit angiogenesis is sunitinib (Sutent, SU11248), a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is currently FDA approved for the treatment of several cancer types. The current review presents an overview of the preclinical studies and clinical trials that combined sunitinib with RTx. We discuss the findings from preclinical and clinical observations with a focus on dose scheduling and commonly reported toxicities. In addition, the effects of combination therapy on tumor response and patient survival are described. Finally, the lessons learned from preclinical and clinical studies are summarized and opportunities and pitfalls for future clinical trials are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Esther A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kleibeuker
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Matthijs A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ten Hooven
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henk M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Verheul
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ben J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Slotman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. v.thijssen@vumc.nl.|Department of Radiation Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. v.thijssen@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: Victor L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Thijssen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000628:therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000628:therapy*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077210:Sunitinib
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D011758:Pyrroles; D000077210:Sunitinib
keywords: Angiogenesis; Cancer; Combination therapy; Radiotherapy; Sunitinib