Pfizer announces Sutent recommendation

Pfizer’s Sutent has been recommended as a first-line treatment for kidney cancer patients.

The approval from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) reverses an appraisal consultation document in September 2008, which originally advised against the use of the drug for the condition.

Garry Nicholson, president and general manager of the oncology business unit at Pfizer, said the recommendation was “an important step forward” for kidney cancer patients and physicians, who will now have a “proven treatment option”.

He added: “We appreciate this recommendation by NICE on behalf of patients.”

First approved in January 2006, Sutent is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor which blocks multiple molecular targets that contribute towards the growth, proliferation and spread of cancer.

In December last year, the Tamoxifen, Exemestane, Adjuvant, Multicentre (Team) trial revealed Pfizer’s Aromasin demonstrated an 11 per cent reduction in the risk of breast cancer progression after 2.75 years in postmenopausal women.