Sunitinib for Paraganglioma (SNIPP Trial)

This is an open-label phase II study of an investigational drug, sunitinib malate in patients with advanced malignant paraganglioma or phaeochromocytoma cancer. Paragangliomas (PGs) are tumours that arise from the para-sympathetic system in the head and neck and sympathetic system in the thorax and abdomen. Paragangliomas that secrete hormones (catecholamines) from the adrenal glands are called pheochromocytomas (PCs). In this study, patients whose disease has advanced or spread despite prior standard therapy, will receive sunitinib for 4-weeks followed by a 2-week rest period, for up to 12 months, in the absence of disease progression. Sunitinib is an investigational drug, which has been shown to shrink tumours in several tumour models. The study will evaluate the efficacy as well as the toxicity profile of sunitinib when used as an alternative treatment for patients with PG/PC tumours.