doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide + sunitinib

This is a combination treatment regimen investigated in clinical trials for breast cancer, particularly locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). It combines traditional chemotherapy agents, **doxorubicin** (an anthracycline topoisomerase II inhibitor) and **cyclophosphamide** (an alkylating agent), with a targeted therapy, **sunitinib** (a multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor). Clinical trials have evaluated different schedules, including sunitinib administered with paclitaxel followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, or sunitinib given before cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Phase II trials have shown varying efficacy results. One trial did not meet its primary endpoint of improving pathologic complete response (pCR) rate, achieving a pCR rate of 27%. Another study found similar pCR rates with the addition of sunitinib compared to chemotherapy alone (5.0% vs 4.3%). Common toxicities include cytopenias and fatigue. The addition of sunitinib has been associated with significantly more dose delays and grade 3/4 non-hematologic toxicities such as stomatitis, non-neutropenic fever, and lethargy. The potential role of this combination, particularly for ER-positive LABC, requires further investigation.

Brand names

SutentAdriamycinCytoxan

Other names

sunitinib + ACAC + sunitinibArm B-National University Hospital, Singapore-breast cancer