Phase I/II study of E7080 (lenvatinib), a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients (pts) with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Initial assessment of response rate.

Abstract

320 Background: Lenvatinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGFR1-3, FGFR1-4, RET, KIT and PDGFRβ. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of lenvatinib for solid tumor pts was determined to be 25 mg once daily dosing (qd), and MTD for HCC pts with Child-Pugh A was determined to be 12 mg qd. A preliminary assessment of response rate is presented in this report. Methods: Between July 9, 2010 and June 22, 2011, 46 pts with advanced HCC with Child-Pugh A were enrolled in Japan (n=43) and Korea (n=3). Pts may have received up to one prior treatment regimen including sorafenib. Pts were treated with a starting dose of lenvatinib 12 mg once daily in 28 day cycles until disease progression or development of unmanageable toxicities. Response rate was assessed by RECIST 1.1 (modified to evaluate viable lesions). Results: The first 42 consecutively enrolled pts (med age: 67; M: 76%, F: 24%) were evaluable for response and form the basis of this report. 45% had extra hepatic spread, 24% received prior chemotherapy and 91% had prior locoregional therapy. 19% were withdrawn from therapy due to adverse event. The most common toxicities were hypertension 71% (Gr 3: 48%), anorexia 50% (Gr 3: 2.4%), proteinuria 45% (Gr 3: 14%), palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome 43% (Gr 3: 4.8%), fatigue 43% (Gr 3: 0%), and thrombocytopenia 33% (Gr 3: 19%). No pts experienced Gr 4 toxicity. Confirmed Partial Responses (PRs) were observed in 14 pts (RR: 33%, 95% CI: 20-50) based on investigator assessment. Updated efficacy including median Time to Progression and survival data will be reported. Conclusions: Lenvatinib 12 mg qd when administered to advanced HCC pts with Child-Pugh A is associated with manageable toxicity. The preliminary assessment of efficacy on the basis of overall response rate suggests that lenvatinib may represent a new potential therapeutic agent for advanced HCC pts. Further assessment of safety and efficacy is ongoing.