A Prospective Study of Acute Cardiovascular Effects of First-line Sunitinib in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients (SUnitinib Prospective CardiovasculaR Effect)

Participants will undergo cardiac MRI, maximal exercise testing(VO2 peak), blood and urine samples before and after 2 treatments of sunitinib. An extra blood sample will be collected the 2nd week of the first treatment to check blood levels of sunitinib. We will also examine routine CT scans to study body composition.

Inclusion criteria

• Histologic diagnosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma
• Eligible to receive first-line sunitinib
• Willingness to attend Cross Cancer Institute and University of Alberta for study-related assessments
• Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS)82 ≥ 70
• Age ≥ 18 years of age
• Adequate creatinine clearance to receive gadolinium
• All patients with bone metastases are eligible; those with lesions identified at weight-bearing bones will undergo plain films to evaluate fracture risk prior to CPET;
• Fluent in English language
• No contraindication to MRI or other concern eg., metallic implants, claustrophobia

Exclusion criteria

• Prior systemic therapy for mRCC
• Documented history of major cardiac event in last year i.e. MI, unstable angina, CABG, symptomatic CHF, CVA or TIA, or pulmonary embolism
• Pregnancy
• Other severe condition or abnormality that, in the judgement of the investigator or treating oncologist, would make participation in this study inappropriate
• Unstable brain metastases