Sunitinib Improves Progression-Free Survival in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumors

Pfizer announced results from a randomized phase III trial of sunitinib malate (Sutent) in patients with advanced pancreatic islet cell (neuroendocrine) tumors. Study findings demonstrated that median progression-free survival was 11.1 months in patients treated with sunitinib compared to 5.5 months in patients treated with placebo. Researchers presented these data at the 11th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer in Barcelona, Spain.

The independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended halting the trial earlier this year because sunitinib showed significant benefit and the study had met its primary endpoint. Full analysis of the data is ongoing.