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Axitinib demonstrated antitumor activity in thyroid cancer
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Axitinib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, had significant antitumor activity in all histologic subtypes of thyroid cancer, according to the findings from a phase-2 study.
There was a high response rate, a prolonged duration of response and an improved OS rate, according to the researchers from various U.S. sites. They enrolled patients with thyroid cancer of any histology that was resistant or not appropriate for iodine 131. Patients (n=60) were assigned to a starting dose of 5 mg twice daily axitinib.
Eighteen patient had partial responses; the objective response rate was 30% (95% CI, 18.9-43.2). There was stable disease lasting ≥16 weeks in 38% of patients, according to the researchers.
Median PFS was 18.1 months (95% CI, 12.1 to not estimable). The most common grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse event was hypertension (12%); 13% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events.
“Axitinib selectively decreased soluble VEGF receptors 2 and 3 plasma concentrations vs. soluble stem cell factor receptor, demonstrating its targeting of VEGF receptor,” the researchers wrote.
“Confirmation of these data in a larger trial is needed to further evaluate axitinib in patients with thyroid cancer,” they wrote.
J Clin Oncol. 2008;26:4708-4713.