Sunitinib, a novel therapy for anthracycline- and cisplatin-refractory malignant pheochromocytoma

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2009 May;39(5):327-31. doi: 10.1093/jjco/hyp005. Epub 2009 Mar 4.

Abstract

We report a case of malignant pheochromocytoma recurred after debulking surgery. A 17-year-old male patient visited our hospital for right flank pain. He had not experienced palpitations, headache, sweating or weight loss. Level of urinary catecholamine and its metabolite increased above normal values and abdominal computed tomography showed a huge right adrenal mass. One month after debulking surgery, anterior mediastinal and multiple liver metastases were found. These tumors had no response to two conventional regimens of combination chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, dacarbazine and anthracycline; and etoposide and cisplatin). We treated the patient with sunitinib, a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The tumor showed very good metabolic response to the therapy. In patient with malignant pheochromocytoma, sunitinib might be one therapeutic strategy for malignant pheochromocytomas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / surgery
  • Anthracyclines / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Humans
  • Indoles / therapeutic use*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Pheochromocytoma / drug therapy*
  • Pheochromocytoma / surgery
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*
  • Sunitinib

Substances

  • Anthracyclines
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Indoles
  • Pyrroles
  • Cisplatin
  • Sunitinib