SUTENT is manufactured by pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer and is also known by the generic name sunitinib malate.

It is used to treat cancer by preventing the activity of a group of proteins known to be involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Sutent is generally used in the treatment of kidney cancer, but can also by employed on a cancer of the stomach and bowels.

The drug is recommended under a six-week cycle of four weeks "on" and a fortnight "off"; specialists determine how many cycles are required in individual cases.

Pfizer offers the first cycle free to patients, with subsequent cycles costing £3,138 for a 50mg dose course.

That equates to a monthly cost of just under £2,100.