Lenvatinib for the treatment of kidney cancer

Introduction: Sequential administration of single targeted agents has evolved as the dominant paradigm in advanced RCC treatment. Lenvatinib plus everolimus is the first combination therapy in advanced RCC to show improvement in efficacy compared to monotherapy in advanced RCC while maintaining manageable toxicity profile.

Areas covered: This review gives a brief overview of the contemporary clinical data on lenvatinib including its mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety profile in combination with everolimus. The clinical applications of lenvatinib in combination with everolimus are addressed within the context of the current competitive therapeutic landscape of RCC.

Expert commentary: Lenvatinib is a new VEGF receptor-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved in combination with everolimus for second-line therapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma progressing on a first-line VEGF receptor-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The combination of lenvatinib with everolimus significantly improved progression-free survival compared with everolimus with a hazard ratio of 0.40 and increased objective response to 43%. Optimal sequence of therapy targeting the tumor and the immune system remains a challenge and further investigation is warranted.     

Cabozantinib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction: The randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III CELESTIAL trial demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvement in overall survival with cabozantinib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) previously treated with sorafenib. Most frequently reported adverse events included palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, hypertension, increased aspartate aminotransferase, fatigue, and diarrhea.

Areas covered: In this review we analyze and discuss preclinical and clinical data of cabozantinib. We summarize efficacy and safety results of phase II and III trials of cabozantinib in the treatment of patients with advanced HCC and we present ongoing trials of cabozantinib in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.

Expert opinion: Cabozantinib is a new second-line and the only third-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC, nevertheless some data are still missing to better inform clinical decisions on how to treat specific patient populations. Next trials designs will have to incorporate heavy efforts in terms of translational research to maximize the benefits of such treatments.     

Cabozantinib inhibits tumor growth and metastasis of a patient-derived xenograft model of papillary renal cell carcinoma with MET mutation

MET plays an important role in the development and progression of papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC). Evaluation of efficacy of MET inhibitors against pRCC has been hampered by limited preclinical models depicting MET abnormalities. We established a new patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of pRCC carrying an activating mutation of MET and tested the ability of cabozantinib, an inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases including MET, to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Precision-cut, thin tissue slices from a pRCC specimen obtained by nephrectomy were implanted under the renal capsule of RAG2^?/?γC^?/? mice to establish first generation TSG-RCC-030. Histologic and genetic fidelity and metastatic potential of this model were characterized by immunohistochemistry, direct DNA sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The effect of cabozantinib on tumor growth and metastasis was evaluated. Whether measurements of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) by allele-specific qPCR could be used as a biomarker of tumor growth and response to therapy was determined. Subrenal and subcutaneous tumor grafts showed high take rates and metastasized to the lung. Both primary tumors and metastases expressed typical markers of pRCC and carried the same activating MET mutation as the parental tumor. Cabozantinib treatment caused striking tumor regression and inhibited lung metastasis in TSG-RCC-030. Plasma ctDNA levels correlated with tumor volume in control mice and changed in response to cabozantinib treatment. TSG-RCC-030 provides a realistic preclinical model to better understand the development and progression of pRCC with MET mutation and accelerate the development of new therapies for pRCC.     

Second-line systemic therapy for the treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer

The discovery of molecular mechanisms driving the progression of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has led to the development of drugs that target RCC at the molecular level. Inhibition of VEGF-targeting pathways is successful as a front-line treatment in patients with metastatic RCC. In addition, bevacizumab/IFN-α, sunitinib and pazopanib are recommended for first-line use in good- or intermediate-risk patients, whereas temsirolimus is approved for poor-risk patients. Second-line options are valuable as these patients eventually progress. The present review addresses which drug is best in this second-line setting. Options for sequential therapy include tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)–mTOR inhibitor or TKI–TKI sequences. We also address the question of whether sequential therapy with TKIs or the combination of VEGF followed by mTOR inhibition is the best choice for specific patients, and which sequence of TKIs is most beneficial.     

舒尼替尼一线治疗转移性肾细胞癌的临床观察

目的:观察舒尼替尼一线治疗转移性肾细胞癌的有效性及安全性.方法:16例未经治疗的转移性肾细胞癌患者接受舒尼替尼治疗.14例患者口服舒尼替尼50 mg/d,服用4周休息2周,6周重复;2例患者口服37.5 mg/d,持续服用.结果:16例患者均可评价疗效和毒性.PR 5例,SD 9例,PD 2例;ORR为31.3％(5/16),DCR为87.5％(14/16).中位PFS和OS分别为10.5(95％CI:1.5～19.5)和17.5个月(95％CI:1.6～33.4).常见非血液学不良反应为手足综合征(12/16,75.0％)、乏力(11/16,68.8％)、口腔炎(8/16,50.0％)、高血压(8/16,50.0％)、纳差(9/16,56.3％)以及蛋白尿(6/16,37.5％);血液学主要不良反应为白细胞下降(10/16,62.5％)、血小板下降(9/16,56.3％).3～4级不良反应主要有口腔炎(3/16,18.8％)、高血压(2/16,l2.5％)、手足综合征(2/16,12.5％)、白细胞减少(2/16,12.5％)和血小板减少(2/16,12.5％).结论:舒尼替尼对未经治疗的中国人晚期肾细胞癌疗效确切,毒副反应可预见、可控制和可逆转,值得临床推荐使用.     

Real-world Experience of Cabozantinib as Second- or Subsequent Line Treatment in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Data From the Polish Managed Access Program

BackgroundCabozantinib is an approved treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). This report presents an analysis of the safety profile and efficacy of cabozantinib in an unselected population from Poland.Patients and MethodsPatients with mRCC, who had been treated with at least 1 previous agent targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway, were eligible to receive cabozantinib at a once-daily dose of 60 mg orally, according to the Managed Access Program (MAP). Data were collected in 4 Polish centers. Patients who had received ≥ 1 dose of cabozantinib were monitored for adverse events (AEs) using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.4.0.ResultsA total of 115 patients were enrolled between October 2016 and March 2018, including 50% with bone metastases, 10% with brain metastases and 4.3% with non–clear-cell RCC; 76% had received ≥ 2 lines of therapy. The median time of follow-up was 12.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.5-14.1 months). The most common grade 3 and 4 AEs were fatigue (23%), hand-foot syndrome (12%), and diarrhea (10%). Only 4% of patients discontinued treatment owing to AEs, and there were no treatment-related deaths. Partial response was observed in 19% of patients, whereas 56% had stable disease. The median progression-free survival was 12.5 months (95% CI, 9.2-14.2 months), with a 12-month overall survival rate of 70.4% (95% CI, 60.2%-78.5%).ConclusionsCabozantinib demonstrated acceptable tolerability and activity in a large unselected population of patients with mRCC under clinical conditions.     

转移性肾癌靶向治疗和免疫治疗的现状与进展

近年来,转移性肾癌的治疗方式从细胞因子药物的治疗,到现在的针对血管生成、哺乳动物的雷帕霉素途径、免疫应答的药物的应用发生了巨大的变化。尽管耐药仍然是一个巨大的挑战,但通过对这些药物的应用及药物联合应用,转移性肾癌的治疗疗效得到大大的提高。目前新的治疗方法正在迅速发展,治疗前景一片大好。     

Erdafitinib for the treatment of urothelial cancer

Introduction: Fibroblast growth-factor receptor (FGFR) inhibition is a promising strategy of treatment in urothelial cancer (UC). FGFR3 mutations or fusions (mut/fus) are common in luminal-1 UC subtype, which exhibits poor responses to immunotherapy. Erdafitinib is a potent and selective pan-FGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Based on the results of the phase 2 BLC2001 trial (NCT02365597), in which erdafitinib showed an overall response rate of 40% in metastatic UC with FGFR3 mut/fus, it is the first approved targeted therapy in metastatic UC.

Areas covered: This review covers the preclinical and clinical evidence for erdafitinib, summarizes the results of other FGFR inhibitors tested in UC and explores future perspectives of FGFR inhibition in UC.

Expert opinion: In the era of precision medicine, erdafitinib approval marks a step forward in UC. Erdafitinib qualifies as a compelling comparator in the salvage therapy setting. Special attention must be paid to typical adverse class-effects of FGFR inhibitors. In the near future, in order to achieve an optimal selection of molecularly-altered tumors, it will be important to assess the performance of different diagnostic tools and to investigate the role of liquid biopsy. Combinations with immunotherapy represent a novel therapeutic opportunity being tested in ongoing trials.     

中晚期肾癌术前采用靶血管栓塞治疗效果研究

目的 探讨中晚期肾癌术前采用靶血管栓塞治疗对增加肿瘤切除率、减少术中出血的作用.方法 选取80例中晚期肾癌患者,依据所采用的治疗方法分为研究组(n=40)和对照组(n=40).给予对照组患者常规手术治疗,研究组患者术前靶血管栓塞治疗,对比两组患者的肿瘤切除率、术中出血量、手术时间及手术费用、术后并发症发生情况,1年、3年、5年生存情况进行统计分析.结果 研究组患者的肿瘤切除率97.5％(39/40)高于对照组的82.5％(33/40) (P＜ 0.05);术中出血量少于对照组(P＜0.05);手术时间短于对照组(P＜0.05);手术费用低于对照组(P＜0.05);1年、3年、5年总生存率分别为85.0％(34/40)、72.5％(29/40)、55.0％(22/40)均高于对照组70.0％(28/40)、57.5％(23/40)、22.5％(9/40) (P＜ 0.05).结论 中晚期肾癌术前采用靶血管栓塞治疗能够提高肿瘤切除率、减少术中出血量.     

The role of metastasectomy in renal cell carcinoma

Despite significant advances in the systemic treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, long-term survival remains low. A potential way to improve outcomes in selected cases is the use of metastasectomy, which is part of the multimodal treatment of this disease. Although the evidence supporting this approach is limited, we believe it is a reasonable option for certain patients. This review summarizes the evidence supporting this approach.     

Comparing comparators: a look at control arms in kidney cancer studies over the years

In the past decade, an increasing number of frequently positive randomised clinical trials have been completed, allowing new consideration of the present therapeutic armamentarium for advanced renal cell carcinoma. These studies were predominantly designed to compare the experimental drugs with 1 of 2 active control arms: interferon alpha-2a or sorafenib. Different from expectations, the final results of some of these studies were not in line with the predictions, and the reasons have not been fully investigated. Consequently, there is a great need for careful analysis of the studies carried out so far, chiefly the role and validity of the control arms. In this regard, the examination of patient baseline characteristics and other factors of potential interest seems fundamental for a correct analysis of the results of these trials and consequent optimal use of the available targeted agents.     

晚期肾癌靶向治疗的现状与进展

随着对肾癌发生发展过程的分子信号通路研究的不断深入,晚期肾癌的靶向治疗取得了重大进展.曾作为标准的细胞因子治疗效果不佳且有明显毒副作用,而靶向治疗已显示出在治疗晚期肾癌方面的明显优势.本文对舒尼替尼、索拉非尼、贝伐单抗、帕唑帕尼、Temsirolimus、依维莫司六种靶向药物的临床疗效,毒副作用以及对策,在贯序治疗、联合治疗和新辅助治疗方面的进展作一综述.     

Forty‐nine gastric cancer cell lines with integrative genomic profiling for development of c‐MET inhibitor

Receptor tyrosine kinase MET (c‐MET) has received considerable attention as a potential target for gastric cancer (GC) therapy and a number of c‐MET inhibitors have been developed. For successful drug development, proper preclinical studies especially using patient derived cancer cell lines are very important. We profiled MET and MET‐related characteristics in 49 GC cell lines to utilize them as models in preclinical studies of GC. Forty‐nine cell lines were analyzed for genetic, biological, and molecular status to characterize MET and MET‐related molecules. Four c‐MET inhibitors were tested to elucidate the dependency on MET pathway in the 49 GC cell lines. Six of 49 cell lines were MET amplified with overexpression of c‐MET and p‐MET. The variants of MET were not associated with c‐MET expression or amplification. Hs746T showed an exon 14 deletion in conjunction with MET amplification. The cell lines were divided into 6 MET amplified, 2 c‐MET overexpressed, 2 hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) overexpressed, and 39 MET‐negative subgroups. Except tivantinib, the c‐MET inhibitors showed higher inhibition (%) in MET amplified than in MET nonamplified cell lines that MET amplified cell lines showed MET pathway dependency. However, the c‐MET overexpressed and HGF overexpressed cell lines showed moderate dependency on MET pathway. Well‐characterized cell lines are very important in studying drug development. Our 49 GC cell lines had various characteristics of MET and MET‐related molecules and MET pathway dependency. These provide a promising platform for development of various RTK inhibitors including c‐MET inhibitors.     

Neoadjuvant Cabozantinib in Renal-Cell Carcinoma: A Brief Review

Nephrectomy is the reference-standard treatment for renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). For patients with unresectable disease, tumor may be shrunk by using chemotherapy, thereby permitting surgical resection, which can be curative. We provided neoadjuvant cabozantinib, the preferred tyrosine kinase inhibitor for advanced RCC of poor and intermediate risk, to two patients with initially unresectable RCCs. In both patients, this led to tumor shrinkage of > 50% after 4 months of therapy, which permitted surgical resection. Both tumor specimens also showed strong pathologic tumor response. The robust responses observed with cabozantinib, even at reduced doses, suggest it to be an effective neoadjuvant option in RCC. Our novel experience with neoadjuvant cabozantinib, combined with our review of the use of cabozantinib in RCC, indicates that providing preoperative cabozantinib to facilitate potentially curative surgical resection has good results and should be further explored.     

晚期肾癌的分子靶向治疗进展

肾癌被确诊时一半已属晚期,失去了手术机会。常规化疗、放疗及内分泌激素治疗效果较差。肿瘤的分子靶向治疗是近年来最具活力、备受关注的领域,其在肿瘤中的治疗已取得显著进展。本文对晚期肾癌分子靶向治疗新进展进行简要阐述。     

Cabozantinib and Panitumumab for RAS Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Lessons Learned

• Antitumor activity was observed in the study population.
• Dose modifications of cabozantinib improve long-term tolerability.
• Biomarkers are needed to identify patient populations most likely to benefit.
• Further study of cabozantinib with or without panitumumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer is warranted.

     

The Effect of Concomitant Proton Pump Inhibitor and Cabozantinib on the Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Introduction

Cabozantinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Cabozantinib is a weak base that exhibits a pH-dependent solubility profile in vitro which raises concerns about its bioavailability in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PPI use has an impact on the efficacy, safety, and residual concentration (Ctrough) of cabozantinib in patients with mRCC.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective review of a prospectively collected electronic database of patients with mRCC who received cabozantinib at Gustave Roussy between February 2014 and December 2018. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and the Cox proportional-hazard model for uni- and multivariate analysis. In parallel, we conducted a pharmacokinetic study of cabozantinib in a distinct cohort of 50 mRCC patients, in which cabozantinib Ctrough was assayed using a validated tandem mass spectrometry–liquid chromatography method.

Results

We identified 99 patients treated with cabozantinib, including 43 patients being PPI users. With a median follow-up of 30.3 months, PPI users showed similar progression-free survival and overall survival outcomes compared with PPI nonusers. Similarly, the incidence of adverse events was not significantly different between the PPI users and nonusers, although PPI users required dose reductions more often. In the independent pharmacokinetic cohort, of whom 21 received PPI concomitantly, Ctrough was similar between the two groups.

Conclusion

In line with the pharmacologic data, the concomitant use of PPI does not significantly impact the efficacy or safety of cabozantinib in patients with mRCC.

Implications for Practice

Drug interactions, especially between targeted therapies and proton pump inhibitors (PPI), were shown to potentially impact the outcomes of cancer patients. Cabozantinib, a current therapeutic standard in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), exhibits a pH-dependent solubility profile, which raises concerns about its bioavailability in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI). At the present time, there is no evidence regarding the effect of PPIs on cabozantinib's efficacy and safety in patients with mRCC. This study found that the concomitant use of PPI during cabozantinib treatment in mRCC patients does not appear to impact the residual concentration, efficacy, and safety of cabozantinib in a real-life context.