Role of dose exposure and inflammatory status in a single center, real-world analysis of sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Aim, patients & methods: To evaluate the real-world setting use of sunitinib, we reviewed data of our patients from January 2007 to December 2014. Results: In 114 patients, sunitinib was used as first-line TKI. Out of 110 evaluable patients, 5 complete responses, 37 partial responses, 42 stabilizations were reported. Median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 14.3 and 28.4 months. Patients who received ≥4 full-dose cycles had a better OS (p = 0.02). A neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio <3 was associated both with OS and progression-free survival (50.4 vs 8.4 and 20.0 vs 3.3 months). Conclusion: Sunitinib is active and feasible. Patients receiving <4 full-dose cycles or having increased neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio achieved worse outcomes: therefore, these are present potential predictive factors.