Pfizer has discontinued a Phase III trial of Sutent (sunitinib malate), an oral multi-kinase inhibitor for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

The study evaluated Sutent in combination with prednisone as a treatment for advanced CRPC that had continued to progress after a docetaxel-based chemotherapy regimen.

A scheduled interim analysis showed that Sutent was unlikely to improve overall survival when compared to predisone-only treatment.

Sutent is approved for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumour and advanced / metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Pfizer is conducting a Phase III trial to evaluate Sutent as an adjuvant treatment for renal cell carcinoma.