Introduction: This single-centre retrospective analysis of data from three randomised studies and two expanded-access studies compared the effect of interferon (IFN)-alfa, sunitinib, and sorafenib on the occurrence and progression of metastatic bone lesions in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Methods: The analysis included 292 patients: 107 received sunitinib 50 mg/day in 6-week cycles (Schedule 4/2), 147 received sorafenib 800 mg/day, and 38 received placebo or IFN-alfa 9 MU t.i.w.
Results: Pre-existing metastatic bone lesions were reported in 82 patients, of which 30 experienced progression. Twenty-three of 210 patients developed new bone lesions. Overall, sunitinib appeared slightly more effective than sorafenib or IFN-alfa at extending mean time to progression of pre-existing bone lesions (P = 0.057). Compared with sorafenib, sunitinib significantly decreased formation (P = 0.034) and prolonged time to occurrence of new bone lesions (P = 0.047).
Conclusion: Further evaluation of the effect of these therapies on bone metastases in RCC is warranted.