Is Sutent considered a chemotherapy drug?
Sutent is used to treat certain types of cancer, but it is considered a targeted treatment, rather than a traditional chemotherapy drug. Sutent (sunitinib) works by inhibiting receptors that exist on the surface of some cells called receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). These receptors help cells to communicate with each other and control several different biological functions, such as cell growth, motility, differentiation, and metabolism. Research has shown that activation of some of these receptors is associated with tumor growth, angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from existing blood vessels), and metastatic progression of cancer. Sunitinib inhibits the activity of several different kinases to inhibit tumor growth and spread.
Traditional chemotherapy drugs work by interfering with cell division (mitosis) and affect a cell's DNA or RNA.
Sutent belongs to the class of medicines known as multikinase inhibitors. It may also be called a VEGF/VEGFR inhibitor.
Read next
Does Sutent shrink tumors?
Five times as many people with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) saw their tumors shrink with Sutent compared with those who were taking interferon α (IFNα). Studies also reported that, on average, people treated with Sutent lived more than twice the number of months without progression compared to those taking IFNα. Overall, clinical trials have proven that Sutent is more effective than IFNα, but some people may not tolerate it well, and it has a black box warning for severe liver toxicity. Sutent is not a cure, and it may not be effective for everybody. Continue reading
How long does it take for Keytruda to work?
The time it takes for Keytruda to work can vary based on the type and stage of cancer. Typically, a response to treatment becomes apparent within 2-4 months of starting Keytruda. This timeframe is referred to as "time to response," which measures when a patient's cancer begins to show signs of responding to the treatment. You can find the specific "time to response" data from clinical trials in the table below. Continue reading
What is the success rate of Keytruda?
In general, PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors like Keytruda have been shown to significantly prolong overall survival (OS) in some patients with various cancer types, but Keytruda does not always work for everyone. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- How long do you take Sutent before it starts to work?
- Is Sutent effective for kidney cancer?
- What is the difference between Opdivo and Keytruda?
- Pembrolizumab vs. nivolumab: How do they compare?
- How long does it take for Lenvima to work?
- How long do you take Lenvima?
- How does Nexavar work? Is it a chemo drug?
- How are Inlyta and Keytruda used in kidney cancer?
- What is the success rate of Cabometyx (cabozantinib)?
- How much does Afinitor cost per month?
- How effective is Nexavar? Does it shrink tumors?
- Is Nexavar cost covered by Medicare?
- What type of drug is Lenvima? Is it a chemo drug?
- What is the difference between Mvasi and Avastin?
- How long can you take Afinitor for?
- Does Votrient cure cancer or shrink tumors?
- How effective is Lenvima?
- Does Cabometyx (cabozantinib) cure cancer?
- How long does Votrient stay in your system?
- Is Votrient a chemotherapy treatment?
- Is Votrient immunotherapy?
- What is the difference between Cabometyx and Cometriq?
- Who makes Bavencio and where is it made?
- What type of drug is Bavencio?
- What to avoid when taking Gleevec?
- Gleevec vs Sprycel vs Tasigna - how do they compare?
- Is there a generic for Gleevec?
- How does Gleevec (imatinib) work?
- Can I take Gleevec while pregnant?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Sutent (5 questions, 32 members)
- Sunitinib (2 questions, 12 members)
- Renal Cell Carcinoma (30 questions, 102 members)
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (9 questions, 20 members)
- Pancreatic Cancer (6 questions, 27 members)