Evaluation of Sunitinib Malate in Patients With Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome (VHL) Who Have VHL Lesions to Follow

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients must have genetically confirmed Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease.
At least one measurable VHL-related lesion, which is undergoing surveillance, and patient is not at immediate risk of needing intervention for this or other lesions. Biopsy is not required given the known natural history in the setting of a positive genetic test. (1) Renal: solid mass suspicious for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) >/= 1 cm or cystic mass >/= 1 cm; (2) Pancreas: Solid mass >/= 1cm & < 3cm suspicious for neuroendocrine tumor; (3) Brain: asymptomatic hemangioblastoma > 5mm; (4) Spine: asymptomatic hemangioblastoma, > 1cm; (5) Eye: asymptomatic peripapillary and/or macular hemangioblastoma, any size.
Allowable prior therapy: (1) Patients having undergone prior therapy for VHL lesions may enroll as long as other criteria are met. Previously radiated lesions may not be considered as target lesions unless they demonstrate unequivocal evidence of growth; (2) Major surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy completed >4 weeks prior to starting the study treatment.
Age >/= 18 years. Because no dosing or adverse event data are currently available on the use of SU011248/sunitinib malate in patients <18 years of age, children are excluded from this study but will be eligible for future pediatric single-agent trials, if applicable.
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status Patients must have normal organ and marrow function as defined: (1) serum aspartate transaminase ([AST]; serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT]) and serum alanine transaminase ([ALT]; serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT]) /= 1500mcL; (4) Platelets >/= 100,000 mcL; (5) Hemoglobin >/= 9.0 g/dL; (6) Serum creatinine < 1.5 x UL.
Eligibility of patients receiving any medications or substances known to affect or with the potential to affect the activity or pharmacokinetics of SU011248/sunitinib malate as listed below will be determined following review of their case by the Principal Investigators. If possible, efforts will be made to switch motivated patients to other medications, otherwise patients will be excluded: (1) Ketoconazole, (2) Theophylline, (3) Phenobarbital, (4) Coumadin at therapeutic doses (low dose Coumadin up to 2 mg po daily for thromboprophylaxis is allowed).
Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy within 4 weeks prior to entering the study or those who have not recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier.
Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents.
Patients with any metastatic disease of any kind.
History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to SU011248/sunitinib malate.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 3 hemorrhage within 4 weeks of starting the study treatment.
History of or known brain metastases, spinal cord compression, or carcinomatous meningitis, or evidence of symptomatic brain or leptomeningeal disease on screening Computer tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.
Any of the following within the 6 months prior to study drug administration: myocardial infarction, severe/unstable angina, coronary/peripheral artery bypass graft, symptomatic congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, or pulmonary embolism.
Ongoing cardiac dysrhythmias of NCI CTCAE grade >/= 2.
Prolonged QTc interval on baseline electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)>470ms.
Hypertension that cannot be controlled by medications (>140/90 mm Hg despite optimal medical therapy).
Pre-existing thyroid abnormality with thyroid function that cannot be maintained in the normal range with medication.
Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
Pregnant women are excluded from this study because SU011248/sunitinib malate has the potential for teratogenic or abortifacient effects. Because there is an unknown but potential risk for adverse events in nursing infants secondary to treatment of the mother with SU011248/sunitinib malate, breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with SU011248/sunitinib malate.
Known HIV-positive patients taking combination antiretroviral therapy are ineligible because of the potential for pharmacokinetic interactions with SU011248/sunitinib malate. Appropriate studies will be undertaken in patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy when indicated.