Treatment Information

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Liver Cancer treatment details. Biologic therapy.

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Boston, MA
Treatments:Biologic therapyHospital:Massachusetts General Hospital
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Jun 2009

Description:

Patients:
This phase II study involved 34 advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients with a median age of 64 years; 85% were male.

Treatment:
Patients were treated with the biologic therapy agent sunitinib, which is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that interferes with cancer cell growth.

Toxicities:
There were 2 deaths reported during the early phase of treatment that were reported to be likely related to progression of their cancer. There were also 2 cases of grade 4 thrombocytopenia and 1 case of grade 4 pulmonary embolism. Grade 3 fatigue and anemia were also reported.

Results:
The median progression-free survival was 3.9 months and median overall survival was 9.8 months.

Support:
This study was partially funded by Pfizer, makers of Sutent (brand name for sunitinib).

Correspondence: Dr. Andrew X. Zhu; email: [email protected]



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