Safety of nab-paclitaxel plus sunitinib: Analysis of three cases

Background: Second-line treatment options are limited in controlling advanced thoracic cancer in patients who have progressed following first-line chemotherapy. Case Report: The safety of combination therapy with nab-paclitaxel, an albumin-bound paclitaxel, and sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor, was evaluated retrospectively in three patients with advanced, previously treated metastatic esophageal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), respectively. Results: Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were mainly hematological and manageable. A notable improvement in cancer symptoms and reduction in tumor size were seen in all three patients. Conclusion: Based on the easily managed toxicities and apparent efficacy of the regimen of weekly nab-paclitaxel and daily sunitinib, we conclude that further evaluation is warranted to assess the efficacy of this combination therapy in previously chemotherapy-treated patients with advanced thoracic cancer.