Phase II trial of neoadjuvant axitinib in patients with locally advanced nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract

441^ Background: Previous studies have shown minimal impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on primary renal tumors. In this phase II trial, we investigate the safety and role of the axitinib in downsizing tumors in patients with non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) prior to surgical resection. Methods: Patients with clinical stage T2-T3b N0 M0 biopsy-proven RCC were eligible for this study. Patients received axitinib daily for 12 weeks prior to surgery. The primary outcome was objective response rate. Secondary outcomes included safety, tolerability, feasibility of administration of axitinib and quality of life (using FKSI-15). A dedicated radiologist independently reviewed all CT scans to evaluate for response using RECIST. Results: Twenty-four patients were treated between 2011 and 2013. All patients had biopsy-proven clear cell RCC. Twenty-three patients continued axitinib for 12 weeks, and underwent surgery as planned without delay. One patient stopped treatment before 12 weeks due to adverse events (AEs) and was taken to surgery early. Median reduction of primary renal tumor size was 28.3% (range 5.3-42.9%). Eleven patients (45.8%) experienced a partial response by RECIST, and 13 patients had stable disease. There was no progression of disease while on axitinib. The most common AEs were hypertension, fatigue, oral mucositis, hypothyroidism, and hand-foot syndrome. No grade 4 AEs were observed. Intraoperatively, no complications or unusual bleeding were encountered. Postoperatively, 2 grade 3 and 13 grade 2 complications were noted, while no grade 4 or 5 complications occurred. FKSI-15 did change over time (p < 0.0001), with quality of life worsening in comparison to the screening assessment by week 7 (p = 0.0004). However, by week 19, quality of life was not found to be statistically different from screening (p = 0.3344). Conclusions: Axitinib was clinically active and well tolerated in the neoadjuvant setting in patients with locally advanced non-metastatic ccRCC. Clinical trial information: NCT01263769.