Sunitinib causes macrocytosis in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma

[摘要] ABSTRACTBackground Sunitinib is approved for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (rcc). Based on a clinical observation that patients receiving sunitinib developed macrocytosis, we undertook a study to further define this observation. Methods In a retrospective review of rcc patients treated at a single centre, data on treatment duration, hematology parameters, concomitant medications, vitamin B12 and folate levels, and thyroid function were recorded. Results The 43 patients reviewed had received a median of 5 cycles of sunitinib. Overall, 21 patients (49%) developed macrocytosis after a median of 3 cycles. Of the 9 patients that received 2 or fewer cycles, none developed macrocytosis. Among patients with macrocytosis, 9 (43%) had anemia at the time macrocytosis was first documented. In patients who did not develop macrocytosis, 82% showed a trend of increasing mean corpuscular volume. Conclusions Treatment with sunitinib in patients with rcc can cause macrocytosis. The frequency of macrocytosis increases with duration of treatment. The mechanism of sunitinibassociated macrocytosis remains to be elucidated.

[学科分类] 肿瘤学