Sutent studies show connection with heart failure

WASHINGTON Pfizer’s Sutent (sunitinib), which is indicated for advanced Kidney cancer and a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer, is being further studied for possible connections to causing heart failure in patients.

According to published reports, the study assessed 48 patients who lived in a “real world” setting and consumed the drug for either advanced kidney cancer, or gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and study its affects on the heart. The study was funded by Pfizer, and found that 15 percent of the patients—almost double the increase that was seen in clinical trials—had experienced worsened heart conditions. According to published reports, some that were noted were symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure, which began between a reported 22 days and 435 days after the patients started on the drug.

Another two studies, one posted in the New England Journal of Medicine and the other done by The Lancet, noted that using Sutent also increased blood pressure in patients, which added to the risk of heart failure. Pfizer responded with a statement that the drugs did pose health risks bur that they were “medically manageable in most patients and underscore the importance of having a collaborative team of health-care professionals working together to appropriately manage patients who have limited available options” in treating their cancer.