NCIt definition : An indolinone derivative and tyrosine kinase inhibitor with potential antineoplastic
activity. Sunitinib blocks the tyrosine kinase activities of vascular endothelial
growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), platelet-derived growth factor receptor b (PDGFRb),
and c-kit, thereby inhibiting angiogenesis and cell proliferation. This agent also
inhibits the phosphorylation of Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3), another receptor
tyrosine kinase expressed by some leukemic cells.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A drug used to treat gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that have not
responded to treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec). Sunitinib is also used to
treat advanced kidney cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types
of cancer. It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor, a type of vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF) receptor inhibitor, and a type of angiogenesis inhibitor.;