In addition, new data from a phase I study showed that sunitinib malate is active and generally well-tolerated in combination with a standard chemotherapy regimen, Folfiri, in previously untreated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This data supports further evaluation of sunitinib malate in mCRC in a phase III program, according to Pfizer.
A multi-national phase III study is currently open and enrolling in Europe, Canada, Asia and South America and will include more than 700 patients.
Sunitinib malate is a multi-kinase inhibitor which works by inhibiting angiogenesis, the process by which tumors acquire blood vessels bringing oxygen and nutrients needed for growth, and proliferation, the process by which cells multiply.