(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Approved for use in kidney cancer and tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, sunitinib (Sutent) has also shown good results in slowing the spread of a particularly deadly form of liver cancer.

The type of cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma and the prognosis is very poor for people who have it, even with the current treatment.

Sunitinib is not a cure, but a new study from Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center shows it can slow the cancer down enough to extend life for an average of 10 months.

This liver cancer depends heavily on blood vessels -- sunitinib controls the growth of blood cells. There was also a 40 percent decrease in blood vessel leakage in tumors in patients treated with sunitinib.
 

Another benefit, according to Andrew X. Zhu, M.D., Ph.D, director of liver cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital, was its effect on circulating progenitor cells. “Circulating progenitor cells, a potential measure of risk of cancer spread, also were reduced with sunitinib treatment,” he said. Dr. Zhu also noted the circulating of these cells during treatment seems to be associated with “significant mortality.”

The researchers also report patients tolerated sunitinib fairly well and though the results are still preliminary, Dr. Zhu says he believes the treatment shows promise. “Giving patients more options would have a significant impact,” Dr. Zhu said.

SOURCE: Presented at the American Association of Cancer Research’s Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif., April 12-16, 2008