Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Research Articles

CONTACT-01: A phase III, randomized study of atezolizumab plus cabozantinib versus docetaxel in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) previously treated with PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors and platinum-containing chemotherapy.

TPS9134 Background: Patients with mNSCLC who progress on anti–PD-L1/PD-1 therapy administered in combination with or after platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) are mainly treated with docetaxel or pemetrexed monotherapy. These therapies only have modest clinical activity, leaving a high unmet medical need. Cabozantinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), promotes an immune-permissive environment and may enhance the efficacy of PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors, offering a promising second/third-line therapeutic opportunity for patients with mNSCLC. In a Phase Ib multi-cohort study (COSMIC-021; NCT03170960), cabozantinib plus atezolizumab (anti–PD-L1) showed an acceptable safety profile and promising efficacy (ORR: 27%; mDOR: 5.7 mo [range: 2.6-6.9]; disease control rate [CR + PR + SD]: 83%) in 30 patients with mNSCLC who had progressed after prior anti–PD-L1/PD-1 therapy plus chemotherapy (Neal et al. J Clin Oncol 2020). The Phase III CONTACT-01 study will further evaluate the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab plus cabozantinib versus docetaxel monotherapy in patients with mNSCLC who have progressed during or after prior treatment with anti–PD-L1/PD-1 therapy and PBC. Methods: CONTACT-01 (NCT04471428) is a Phase III, multi-center, randomized, open-label study that will enroll ≈350 patients from 150 to 200 sites internationally. Key eligibility criteria include histologically or cytologically confirmed mNSCLC, disease progression with concurrent or sequential anti–PD-L1/PD-1 treatment and PBC, measurable disease (RECIST 1.1), ECOG PS of 0-1 and the availability of tissue specimens for centralized PD-L1 testing or known PD-L1 status using a health authority–approved PD-L1 assay. Patients with NSCLC previously treated with cabozantinib, docetaxel or anti–PD-L1/PD-1 + VEGFR TKIs are excluded. Patients with known sensitizing EGFR/ALK mutations and active or untreated CNS metastases are also excluded. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either atezolizumab (1200 mg IV every 3 weeks) + cabozantinib (40 mg orally once daily) or docetaxel (75 mg/m2 IV every 3 weeks). The primary endpoint is OS. Secondary endpoints include investigator-assessed PFS, ORR and DOR per RECIST 1.1; TTD in patient-reported physical function and global health status (EORTC QLQ-C30); investigator-assessed PFS rates at 6 months and 1 year; OS rates at 1 and 2 years; safety and PK. Clinical trial information: NCT04471428.

Efficacy and safety of intermittent versus continuous dosing schedule of apatinib combined with docetaxel as second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer.

e16018 Background: Apatinib, a VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is wildly used for the treatment of advanced or metastatic gastric cancer. However, dose modification and interruption are happened frequently due to poor patient conditions and treatment-related toxicity. This study was designed to explore the efficacy and safety of intermittent or continuous apatinib therapy in combination with docetaxel. Methods: This was an open-label, randomized clinical trial. Patients with advanced gastric cancer who progressed from first-line treatment were randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1 to receive intermittent or continuous dosing schedule. In the intermittent dose group (IG), patients received oral apatinib 500 mg/d for 5 days followed by 2 days off. In the continuous dose group (CG), patients received 500 mg daily without interruption. Docetaxel 60 mg/m2 was administered intravenously to patients on Day 1 in a 21-day cycle in both groups. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and the safety. Results: Between September 15, 2017 and November 30, 2020, 80 patients were screened for eligibility, of which 76 patients were randomly assigned into two groups (38 in the IG and 38 in the CG). In the IG and CG, 38 and 37 patients had ECOG PS 0-1, 16 and 19 patients had history of surgery, both 11 patients with more than 2 metastases, respectively. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were balanced. ORR in the IG was 21.05% vs 18.42% in the CG, and DCR was 60.53% vs 60.53%, respectively. Median PFS were 3.88 months (95% CI, 1.723-6.031) vs 3.98 months (95% CI, 1.055-6.896, p= 0.546), and median OS was 9 months (95% CI, 5.306-12.698) vs 9.40 months (95% CI, 5.204-13.588, p= 0.310) in two groups. The incidence of all grade adverse events (AEs) in the IG and CG were 94.7% and 92.1%, of which the most common AEs were hypertension (55.3% vs 65.8%), anemia (55.3% vs 63.2%), proteinuria (26.3% vs 31.6%), hand-foot syndrome (21.1% vs 26.3%). The incidence of grade ≥3 AEs were 36.8% and 39.5% in the IG and CG, respectively. In addition, the doses of 7 patients were reduced to the 250 mg in the IG, while that of 13 patients in the CG. Conclusions: Apatinib administered intermittently (5 days on/ 2 days off) exhibited similar efficacy to continuous schedule, while with less toxicity. Intermittent dosing schedule of apatinib may be an option for second-line treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT03334591.

TIVO-3: Age-related tolerability outcomes of tivozanib versus sorafenib in metastatic relapsed or refractory renal cell carcinoma, a subgroup analysis of the TIVO-3 clinical trial.

e16553 Background: Tivozanib (TIVO) is a potent and selective VEGF receptor (R) tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a long half-life designed to optimize the VEGF blockade while minimizing off-target toxicities. The TIVO-3 trial demonstrated improved progression-free survival (PFS) when compared to sorafenib (SOR; 5.6 mo. vs 3.9 mo., respectively) with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.73. TIVO showed better tolerability with reduced need for dose interruptions (p = 0.0164) and dose reductions (p = 0.0147) as compared to SOR. Methods: Data was analyzed to identify relationships between and age or prior use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI). Results: Of the 343 patients treated on study, 120 (35%) were between age 65 and 75 and 34 (10%) were over 75. Adverse events were less frequent for TIVO compared to SOR in all age groups and drug exposure was consistently greater in the TIVO arm. Of particular interest, the tolerability advantages noted in the total population are also observed in the patients 75 and over with almost half the rate of the adverse drug reactions leading to dose reduction or discontinuation compared to SOR. Patients treated with prior CPI had an increased need for dose adjustment, but dose adjustments were less common with TIVO than SOR in CPI exposed and naïve patients. Conclusions: Tivozanib was better tolerated than sorafenib regardless of age or prior CPI treatment. Dose adjustments and interruptions are more common after prior CPI. Clinical trial information: NCT02627963. [Table: see text]

TIVO-3: Durability of response and updated overall survival of tivozanib versus sorafenib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

4546 Background: Tivozanib is a potent and highly selective VEGF receptor (R) tyrosine kinase inhibitor in clinical development for mRCC. Methods: The TIVO-3 study enrolled subjects with mRCC who failed 2 or 3 prior systemic regimens, one of which included a VEGFR TKI, stratified by IMDC risk category and type of prior therapy (two TKIs; TKI plus checkpoint; TKI + other) then randomized 1:1 to T or sorafenib. Tivozanib demonstrated PFS and ORR advantages over sorafenib. Here we report long term durability of response based on investigator assessment and updated overall survival. Results: There were 41 responders (23%) to tivozanib and 20 responders (11%) to sorafenib. The median duration of response (mDoR) was 20.3 months (95% CI: 9.8, 29.9) and 9.0 months (95% CI: 3.7, 16.6) for tivozanib and sorafenib, respectively. With prolonged follow up there were 270 deaths; the HR for overall survival favored tivozanib at 0.91 (95% CI: 0.716, 1.165). Clinical trial information: NCT02627963 . Conclusions: Tivozanib treatment in third and fourth line mRCC results in longer PFS, higher objective response rate and more durable responses compared to sorafenib. There is no difference in overall survival.[Table: see text]

Apatinib plus paclitaxel versus placebo plus paclitaxel as second-line therapy in patients with gastric cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis: A double-blind, randomized phase II trial.

e16022 Background: Individuals with gastric cancer who present with peritoneal metastasis (PM) have poor prognosis. VEGF and VEGFR-2-mediated angiogenesis can increase vascular permeability, mesothelial cell permeability and promote peritoneal metastasis and ascites formation. This study assessed whether apatinib, a small-molecule VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in combination with paclitaxel would improve survival in patients with gastric cancer with PM as second-line therapy. Methods: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 2 trial. Recruitment of the trial was stopped after 44 patients due to poor accrual. Patients aged 18 years or older with gastric adenocarcinoma with PM and disease progression after first-line chemotherapy (platinum plus fluoropyrimidine) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive apatinib or placebo 500 mg oral once daily plus paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and safety profiles. Results: Between January 2017 and January 2019, 44 patients were randomly assigned to treatment (21 in Paclitaxel/apatinib group while 23 in Paclitaxel/placebo group). Median PFS was significantly longer in apatinib plus paclitaxel group than in placebo plus paclitaxel group (4.67 months [95% CI, 3.90 to 9.13 months] vs 4.07 months [95% CI, 1.93 to 5.00 months]; hazard ratio 0.46 [95% CI, 0.22 to 0.97]; P=0.037). There was no significant difference between the two groups in median OS (8.57 months vs. 9.03 months; P=0.85), ORR (19.0% vs. 4.3%; P=0.290) and DCR (76.2% vs. 52.2%, P=0.098). Apatinib group showed a higher incidence of proteinuria (38.1% vs. 4.3%; P=0.016), while no significant difference was found in the incidence of grade 3 or higher drug-related adverse events. Conclusions: Compared with placebo plus paclitaxel, the combination of apatinib with paclitaxel as second-line therapy significantly improved median PFS with an acceptable safety profile in patients with gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. Clinical trial information: NCT03144843. [Table: see text]

Apatinib suppresses lung cancer stem-like cells by complex interplay between \u03b2-catenin signaling and mitochondrial ROS accumulation

The abnormal activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a critical role in the development of lung cancer, which is also important in the generation and maintenance of lung cancer stem cell (CSC). CSCs have unique capabilities to resist anticancer therapy, seed recurrent tumors, and disseminate to and colonize distant tissues. Apatinib, a small-molecule VEGFR2-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, shows highly efficient antitumor activity in heavily treated, chemoresistant, and metastatic lung cancer. We speculated that inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and targeting lung CSCs could be one of the anti-tumor mechanisms of apatinib. In the present study we demonstrated that apatinib repressed lung CSC-like traits by hindering sphere formation ability, lung CSC-related marker expression and decreasing chemoresistance derived stemness. Mechanistically, apatinib exerted its anti-CSC effects by inhibiting β-catenin and its downstream targets. Moreover, apatinib induced the production of reactive oxyen species (ROS), which participated in the inhibitory effects of apatinib on lung CSCs. It was found that β-catenin regulated apatinib-induced production of ROS. Inhibition or promotion of ROS production with N-acetyl-L-cysteine or H2O2 not only upregulated or downregulated β-catenin expression, but also prevented or promoted DNA damage, rescued or impeded sphere formation, respectively. Collectively, our findings reveal that apatinib directly inhibits β-catenin signaling and promotes ROS generation to suppress lung CSC-like characteristics. A clearer understanding of the anti-cancer mechanisms of apatinib is required for its better application in combating advanced and refractory/recurrent lung cancer when combined with conventional chemotherapy.

Efficacy and Safety of Apatinib Treatment for Advanced Cholangiocarcinoma After Failed Gemcitabine-Based Chemotherapy: An Open-Label Phase II Prospective Study.

PurposeAs a novel small-molecule vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR2-TKI), Methylsulfonic apatinib (apatinib) exhibits a specific antitumor effect in various solid tumors via inhibition of angiogenesis. The present study was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of apatinib in the treatment of advanced cholangiocarcinoma after failed gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.Patients and MethodsThis was a prospective open-label phase II trial (NCT03521219). A total of 32 patients, in whom gemcitabine-based first-line chemotherapy for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma had failed, were consecutively enrolled in a prospective, open, exploratory, and single-center clinical trial from November 2017 to November 2018. They were treated with apatinib mesylate second-line monotherapy (orally, 500 mg per day for a cycle of 28 days) until progressive disease or unacceptable toxicity. Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 (NCI-CTCAE 4.0), the efficacy and adverse were evaluated, respectively. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.ResultsTwenty-six patients were enrolled in full analysis set. At the end of follow-up, two patients were lost to follow-up, 24 of 26 patients in FAS were included in efficacy analyses. For the efficacy analysis set, the objective response rate (ORR) was 20.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 9.24–40.47%] and the disease control rate (DCR) was 62.5% (95% CI: 112.86–387.14 days). One patient (4%) showed complete response (CR), 4 patients (17%) showed partial response (PR), 10 patients (41.7%) stable disease (SD), and 9 patients (37.5%) had progressive disease (PD). Meanwhile, apatinib therapy achieved the median progression-free survival PFS was 95 days (95% CI: 79.70–154.34 days), and the median OS was 250 days (95% CI: 112.86–387.14 days). Furthermore, univariate analysis revealed that age and tumor’s anatomic location significantly affected PFS (P < 0.05). The most common clinically adverse events (AEs) included myelosuppression (69.2%), hypertension (57.7%), proteinuria (46.2%). The AEs were mild, mainly in grade 1 or 2, and no toxicity-induced death occurred.ConclusionApatinib monotherapy is an effective and promising regimen for treating patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma who experienced failure of gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.

'γδT Cell-IL-17A-Neutrophil' Axis Drives Immunosuppression and Confers Breast Cancer Resistance to High-Dose Anti-VEGFR2 Therapy

Background: Angiogenesis is an essential physiological process and hallmark of cancer. Currently, antiangiogenic therapy, mostly targeting the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling axis, is commonly used in the clinic for solid tumors. However, antiangiogenic therapies for breast cancer patients have produced limited survival benefits since cancer cells rapidly acquire resistance to anti-VEGFR2 therapy. Methods: We tested the low-dose and high-dose VEGFR2 mAb or VEGFR2-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) agents in 4T1-, EMT6-tumor bearing and MMTV-PyMT breast cancer mouse models. Flow cytometric, western blot and tissue immunofluorescence stain were used to elucidate the role and regulatory mechanism of immune cells under the anti-VEGFR2 therapy. Findings: Low-dose VEGFR2 mAb or VEGFR2-TKI achieved good effects in controlling cancer progression in multiple breast cancer mouse models, while high dose treatment was not effective. To further investigate the mechanism involved in regulating this resistance, we found that high-dose anti-VEGFR2 treatment elicited IL-17A expression in γδ T cells via VEGFR1-PI3K-AKT pathway activation and then promoted N2-like neutrophil polarization, thus inducing CD8+ T cell exhaustion to shape an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Combining anti-VEGFR2 therapy with IL-17, PD-1 and Ly-6G mAb targeting the immunomodulatory axis of “γδT17 cells-N2 neutrophils” in vivo showed promising therapeutic effects in breast cancer treatment. Interpretation: Taken together, this study illustrates the potential mechanism of antiangiogenic therapy resistance in breast cancer and provides combinational treatment options for cancer therapy. Funding Information: This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81930079,81872317,81902981,81902626). Declaration of Interests: No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed. Ethics Approval Statement: All mouse protocols and procedures were reviewed and approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine.

Lenvatinib with or Without Everolimus in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapies.

Lenvatinib (Len) plus everolimus (Eve) is an approved therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) after first-line vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs), but limited data exist on the efficacy of Len ± Eve after progression on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and VEGFR-TKIs. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with mRCC at our institution who were treated with Len ± Eve after ICI and VEGFR-TKI. A blinded radiologist assessed objective response as defined by RECIST version 1.1. Descriptive statistics and the Kaplan-Meier method were used. Fifty-five patients were included in the analysis. Of these patients, 81.8% had clear-cell histology (ccRCC), and 76.4% had International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium intermediate-risk disease. Median number of prior therapies was four (range, 2-10); all patients had prior ICIs and VEGFR-TKIs, and 80% were previously treated with ICI and at least two VEGFR-TKIs, including cabozantinib. One patient (1.8%) achieved a complete response, and 11 patients (20.0%) achieved a partial response, for an overall response rate (ORR) of 21.8%; 35 patients (63.6%) achieved stable disease. In all patients, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8-9.4) and median overall survival (OS) was 12.1 months (95% CI, 8.8-16.0). In patients with ccRCC, ORR was 24.4%, PFS was 7.1 months (95% CI, 5.0-10.5), and OS was 11.7 months (95% CI, 7.9-16.1). 50.9% of patients required dose reductions and 7.3% discontinued treatment because of toxicity. Len ± Eve demonstrated meaningful clinical activity and tolerability in heavily pretreated patients with mRCC after disease progression with prior ICIs and VEGFR-TKIs. As the therapeutic landscape for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma continues to evolve, this single-center, retrospective review highlights the real-world efficacy of lenvatinib with or without everolimus in heavily pretreated patients. This article supports the use of lenvatinib with or without everolimus as a viable salvage strategy for patients whose disease progresses after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies, including cabozantinib.

Abnormal Crosstalk between Endothelial Cells and Podocytes Mediates Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI)-Induced Nephrotoxicity.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and its receptor VEGFR2 are the main targets of antiangiogenic therapies, and proteinuria is one of the common adverse events associated with the inhibition of the VEGFA/VEGFR2 pathway. The proteinuric kidney damage induced by VEGFR2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is characterized by podocyte foot process effacement. TKI therapy promotes the formation of abnormal endothelial‒podocyte crosstalk, which plays a key role in TKI-induced podocyte injury and proteinuric nephropathy. This review article summarizes the underlying mechanism by which the abnormal endothelial‒podocyte crosstalk mediates podocyte injury and discusses the possible molecules and signal pathways involved in abnormal endothelial‒podocyte crosstalk. What is more, we highlight the molecules involved in podocyte injury and determine the essential roles of Rac1 and Cdc42; this provides evidence for exploring the abnormal endothelial‒podocyte crosstalk in TKI-induced nephrotoxicity.

Comparative evaluation of cardiovascular risks among nine FDA-approved VEGFR-TKIs in patients with solid tumors: a Bayesian network analysis of randomized controlled trials

PurposeThe present meta-analysis study was performed to identify the potential cardiotoxicity risks when using Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) as anticancer drugs in patients with solid tumors.MethodsPubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for the randomized controlled trials. We have included 45 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) associated with nine VEGFR-TKIs Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs used to treat patients with solid tumors. To evaluate the trials’ risk of bias, Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was assessed. A direct comparison was assessed by RevMan5.3 software, calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was tested by the I2 statistic and Chi-square test for P value. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using Stata 15.0 and GeMTC 0.14.3 software, calculated OR along with corresponding 95% credible interval (CrI). The model’s convergence was evaluated by the potential scale reduced factor (PSRF). Consistency between direct and indirect comparisons was assessed by the “node-splitting” method.ResultsIn this network meta-analysis, a total of 20,027 patients from 45 randomized controlled trials and associated with nine FDA-approved VEGFR-TKIs (axitinib, cabozantinib, lenvatinib, nintedanib, pazopanib, regorafenib, sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib), were enrolled. Findings indicated that lenvatinib had the most significant probability of provoking all grades cardiovascular incident and hypertension, followed by vandetanib, cabozantinib, axitinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, sunitinib, regorafenib and nintedanib. The nine agent’s severe cardiovascular and severe hypertension risk was probably similar. The ranking probability of cardiac toxicity shows that vandetanib ranked most likely to have the highest risk for cardiotoxicity among all the VEGFR-TKIs reviewed, followed by pazopanib, axitinib, sorafenib, sunitinib. In contrast, regorafenib and nintedanib did not exhibit an increased risk of cardiac damage.ConclusionsThe association between the nine VEGFR-TKIs with potential cardiotoxicity occurrence was reviewed. Both the regorafenib and nintedanib did not display detectable signs of cardiotoxic damage. In contrast, lenvatinib and vandetanib are ranked to have the most severe cardiotoxicity side impacts. These results may provide information for clinical practice guidelines, implementing strategies in selecting the adequate VEGFR-TKIs, and understanding the cardiovascular toxicity inflicted by the VEGFR-TKIs.PROSPERO identifierCRD 42,020,167,307.

Phase III study evaluating efficacy and safety of MK-6482 + lenvatinib versus cabozantinib for second- or third-line therapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who progressed after prior anti-PD-1/L1 therapy.

TPS372 Background: There is an unmet need for treatment options in the second-line or later setting following anti–PD-1/L1 or VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in patients with advanced RCC. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2α is a transcription factor that has been established as an oncogenic driver in clear cell RCC (ccRCC). Promising antitumor activity has been reported for the first-in-class small molecular HIF-2α inhibitor, MK-6482, in heavily pretreated patients with ccRCC and patients with VHL disease–associated RCC. HIF-2α also regulates VEGF gene expression and plays a role in resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. Therefore, combining MK-6842 with a VEGF receptor TKI, such as lenvatinib, is an attractive treatment option in the advanced RCC setting. Methods: This is a randomized, open-label, active-controlled, multicenter phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of MK-6482 + lenvatinib compared with cabozantinib in patients with advanced ccRCC who have progressed on prior anti–PD-1/L1 therapy (NCT04586231). Eligibility criteria include age ≥18 years; histologically confirmed, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic ccRCC; disease progression on or after first- or second-line systemic treatment with an anti–PD-1/L1 therapy (monotherapy or in combination with other agent[s]) for locally advanced or metastatic disease, the immediately preceding line of treatment must be an anti–PD-1/L1 therapy; no more than 2 prior systemic regimens, with only 1 prior anti–PD-1/L1 therapy; measurable disease per RECIST v1.1; and Karnofsky performance status ≥70%. Patients must provide tissue for biomarker analysis. Approximately 708 patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive MK-6482 120 mg orally once daily (QD) + lenvatinib 20 mg orally QD or cabozantinib 60 mg orally QD. Treatment will continue until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. The stratification factors are International mRCC Database Consortium prognostic scores (0, 1-2, or 3-6), number of prior lines of therapy (1 or 2), and geographic region (North America, Western Europe, or rest of the world). Imaging will be assessed by CT or MRI every 8 weeks through week 80, then every 12 weeks thereafter. The dual primary end points are progression-free survival per RECIST v1.1 as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) and overall survival. Secondary end points are objective response rate and duration of response per RECIST v1.1 as assessed by BICR, and safety. Safety and tolerability will be evaluated using a tiered approach. Clinical trial information: NCT04586231 .

TIVO-3: Tivozanib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) who have progressed after treatment with axitinib.

278 Background: Tivozanib (T) is a potent and highly selective VEGF receptor (R) tyrosine kinase inhibitor in clinical development for RCC. Axitinib is also a potent and selective VEGF-R inhibitor now commonly part of front-line aRCC treatment. The activity of T after axitinib has not been previously defined. The activity of T after prior therapy types including axitinib is of clinical relevance. Methods: The pivotal TIVO-3 study enrolled subjects with mRCC who failed 2 or 3 prior systemic regimens, one of which included a VEGFR TKI, stratified by IMDC risk category and type of prior therapy (two TKIs; TKI plus checkpoint; TKI + other) then randomized in a 1:1 ratio to T or S. The primary objective of the overall trial was to compare progression free survival (PFS) by blinded independent radiological review. Patients with prior axitinib received as monotherapy in the second or third line setting and other predefined subgroups were reviewed for outcome with T. Results: Patients treated with T after prior axitinib had a PFS of 5.5 months and an ORR of 13% compared to 3.7 months and 8% for patients treated with S. Other subgroups are presented in the table below. Clinical trial information: NCT02627963 . Conclusions: Tivozanib improved PFS vs. sorafenib in patients who have progressed after multiple VEGFR-TKIs, including patients with prior second or third line axitinib treatment. These results suggest differential activity from tivozanib and axitinib despite both being potent and selective VEGF-R inhibitors. [Table: see text]

Efficacy of cabozantinib in advanced MiT family translocation renal cell carcinomas (TRCC).

274 Background: MiT family translocation renal cell carcinomas (TRCC) represent a rare and aggressive subgroup of RCC harboring high expression of c-MET. While response rates of VEGF receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor and immune checkpoint inhibitors are limited, efficacy of cabozantinib (a TKI that inhibits VEGFR, MET, and AXL) in this subgroup is unclear. Methods: We performed a multicentre, retrospective, international cohort study of patients with TRCC treated with cabozantinib regardless the line of treatment at 7 centers (3 in France and 4 in the US). The main objectives were to estimate response rate according to RECIST criteria, and to analyze progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Among 31 metastatic patients treated in the participating centers, 24 were evaluable for response and were included in this study (21 with TFE3 and 3 with TFEB translocations). Median age at diagnosis was 43.5 years (range, 22–70). Most frequent metastatic sites at diagnosis were lungs (62.5%), retroperitoneal lymph nodes (45.8%) and bone (37.5%). Patient’s IMDC risk group at diagnosis was favourable (20,8%), intermediate (62,5%) and poor (16,7%). Seven (29%) patients received cabozantinib at first line, 9 (37.5%) at second line and 8 (33%) at third line and beyond. The proportion of patients who achieved an objective response was 16.6%, including 1 complete response and 3 partial responses. For 11 (45.8%) patients, stable disease was the best response. With a median follow-up of 14 months (IQR 5-23), median PFS was 8.4 months (range, 1-34+) and median OS was 17 months (range, 2-43). No PFS difference was detected overall or in any subgroup except in patients with bone metastasis which harbored a median PFS of 3.6 months as compared to 9.1 months for those without (p=0.03). Conclusions: This real-world study provides evidence supporting activity of cabozantinib in TRCC, with more durable responses to therapy than those observed with of VEGF receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor and immune checkpoint inhibitors. International collaborations and prospective studies are necessary to identifies efficacious therapies for this rare disease that lacks evidence-based treatment options.

CM082, a novel VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, can inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of CM082, a novel vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice. HUVECs were stimulated with rHuVEGF165 and then treated with CM082 to assess the antiangiogenic effects of CM082; subsequently, proliferation, wound-healing migration, Transwell invasion, tube formation assays, and Western blotting were performed in vitro. Retinal neovascularization tufts, avascular area, and TUNEL assays were estimated for OIR mice after intraperitoneal injection with CM082. CM082 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation induced by stimulation of HUVECs with rHuVEGF165; this inhibitory effect was mediated by blocking VEGFR2 activation. CM082 significantly inhibited retinal neovascularization and avascular area and did not increase apoptosis in the retina of OIR mice. The findings demonstrated that CM082 exhibits highly antiangiogenic effects in HUVECs and OIR mice. Thus, it may serve as an alternative treatment for neovascular eye disease in the future.

Abstract PS2-19: Circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration in a phase II trial of pazopanib in addition to endocrine therapy in patients with hormone resistant advanced breast cancer (ABC)

Abstract Background: CTCs are detectable in approximately 50% of pts with metastatic breast cancer, and elevated CTC levels are an independent negative prognostic factor. CTCs have been shown to play a valuable role in predicting outcomes in pts with ABC treated with chemotherapy or endocrine therapy. This phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the clinical benefit (CB) of pazopanib, a VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combined with nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors (NSAIs) in pts with ABC resistant to NSAIs. As an exploratory analysis, we hypothesized that CTC levels might be correlated with response to pazopanib plus endocrine therapy. Methods: Eligibility included postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive (HR+) ABC and progressive disease after at least one month of NSAIs. Treatment was pazopanib 800 mg/day plus either letrozole or anastrozole. The primary endpoint was clinical benefit rate at 12 weeks (CBR12, wks). Secondary endpoints included progression free survival (PFS), safety, and the impact of pazopanib and NSAI on CTCs. A CBR of 20% was considered a clinically meaningful comparison to the expected CBR of &amp;lt;5% with continued NSAIs after PD. Blood samples were collected for CTC analysis at baseline, then every 4 wks while on treatment. The presence of CTCs was assessed using the FDA-cleared CellSearch System; CTCs were defined as EPCAM-positive, CD45-negative nucleated cells. Samples with 5 CTCs per 7.5 mLs of blood were considered CTC-positive. Results: 32 pts were enrolled; 28 are evaluable for study endpoints. The median age was 58 years (range: 41-77). Pts were heavily pre-treated, with a median of 2 prior hormone therapies (range 1-6) and 1 prior chemotherapy (range 0-8). 8 pts (28.6%) stopped treatment due to adverse events, and 6 pts progressed before wk 12. CBR12 was 46.4% (12 SD, 1 PR), and CBR24 was 25% (5 SD, 2 PR). Safety has been presented (ASCO 2020). Median PFS was 20 wks, and median PFS for pts with CBR12 was 24 wks. Five (22%) of 23 pts with CTC data were CTC-positive (5 CTC/7.5 mL). There was no significant association between CBR12 and CTC status at baseline, or between CBR12 and change in CTC status (baseline to 4 wks after initiation of treatment). 7 pts had non-CBR12 and CTC data; 4 pts (n=4/7; 57%) were CTC positive at either baseline, week 4 or both. 11 pts had CBR12 and CTC data; all patients were CTC negative at baseline and remained negative at 4 wks. 7 pts had PFS &amp;gt;6 months (24, 32, 36, 36, 48, 184 and 274 wks), and 6 had CTC data: all were CTC-negative at baseline and 4 wks, then remained negative at 12 wks. Based on baseline values only, CTC-positive pts had a shorter median PFS compared to CTC-negative pts, but the difference was not statistically significant (11 wks vs 14 wks, p=0.18). Persistently CTC negative patients had significantly longer PFS compared to patients who were CTC positive at any time during study treatment (36 wks vs 11 wks, p=0.01). Conclusions: The addition of pazopanib to NSAIs resulted in a CBR12 of 46.4%, and a CBR24 of 25% in pts with heavily pre-treated ABC resistant to NSAIs. These results support clinical efficacy of antiangiogenic TKI in HR+ ABC and suggest benefit in hormone resistant disease. Consistently negative CTCs correlated with response and response duration. PFS was significantly longer in patients who were consistently CTC negative, further defining the prognostic role of CTCs in HR+ ABC. (NCT01466972) Citation Format: Ozge Gumusay, Mark Jesus M. Magbanua, Melanie C. Majure, Travis Deal, Jonathan R. Renslo, Chiara A. Wabl, Michelle E. Melisko, A. Jo Chien, Andrei Goga, Mark M. Moasser, John W. Park, Jimmy Hwang, Hope S. Rugo. Circulating tumor cell (CTC) enumeration in a phase II trial of pazopanib in addition to endocrine therapy in patients with hormone resistant advanced breast cancer (ABC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS2-19.

Camrelizumab in Combination with Apatinib in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (RESCUE): A Nonrandomized, Open-label, Phase II Trial

We assessed the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab [an anti-programmed death (PD-1) mAb] plus apatinib (a VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This nonrandomized, open-label, multicenter, phase II study enrolled patients with advanced HCC who were treatment-naïve or refractory/intolerant to first-line targeted therapy. Patients received intravenous camrelizumab 200 mg (for bodyweight ≥50 kg) or 3 mg/kg (for bodyweight <50 kg) every 2 weeks plus oral apatinib 250 mg daily. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) assessed by an independent review committee (IRC) per RECIST v1.1. Seventy patients in the first-line setting and 120 patients in the second-line setting were enrolled. As of January 10, 2020, the ORR was 34.3% [24/70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 23.3-46.6] in the first-line and 22.5% (27/120; 95% CI, 15.4-31.0) in the second-line cohort per IRC. Median progression-free survival in both cohorts was 5.7 months (95% CI, 5.4-7.4) and 5.5 months (95% CI, 3.7-5.6), respectively. The 12-month survival rate was 74.7% (95% CI, 62.5-83.5) and 68.2% (95% CI, 59.0-75.7), respectively. Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) were reported in 147 (77.4%) of 190 patients, with the most common being hypertension (34.2%). Serious TRAEs occurred in 55 (28.9%) patients. Two (1.1%) treatment-related deaths occurred. Camrelizumab combined with apatinib showed promising efficacy and manageable safety in patients with advanced HCC in both the first-line and second-line setting. It might represent a novel treatment option for these patients.See related commentary by Pinato et al., p. 908.

Research Progress of Small Molecule Anti-angiogenic Drugs in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

肺癌是世界上发病率最高的癌症之一，且尚无二线进展后的标准治疗方案，而肿瘤血管生成目前已被确定为恶性肿瘤的重要治疗靶点，小分子多靶点血管激酶抑制剂可通过抑制血管生成相关信号通路，抑制肿瘤血管的生成。目前已开展多项小分子抗血管生成药物治疗非小细胞肺癌的临床试验，且已有部分血管内皮生长因子受体酪氨酸激酶抑制剂（vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, VEGFR-TKIs）获批治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌，本文基于国内外多项小分子抗血管生成药物治疗非小细胞肺癌的发展现状，归纳了多个VEGFR-TKIs及成纤维细胞生长因子受体（fibroblast growth factor receptor, FGFR）-TKI单药或联合[包括分别与化疗、表皮生长因子受体（epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR）-TKIs、免疫治疗、放疗等联合）]治疗非小细胞肺癌的疗效与安全性研究，同时探讨了VEGFR-TKIs可能存在的耐药机制及疗效预测指标等，并对未来抗血管治疗非小细胞肺癌的发展趋势以及存在的潜在问题进行展望，同时为肺癌后续的精准治疗及个体化治疗提供新的思路。

Adjuvant Pazopanib Versus Placebo After Nephrectomy in Patients With Localized or Locally Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: Final Overall Survival Analysis of the Phase 3 PROTECT Trial

Most studies indicate no benefit of adjuvant therapy with VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PROTECT (NCT01235962) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study to evaluate adjuvant pazopanib in patients with locally advanced RCC at high risk of relapse after nephrectomy (pazopanib, n = 769; placebo, n = 769). The results of the primary analysis showed no difference in disease-free survival between pazopanib 600 mg and placebo. Here we report the final overall survival (OS) analysis (median follow-up: pazopanib, 76 mo, interquartile range [IQR] 66–84; placebo, 77 mo, IQR 69–85). There was no significant difference in OS between the pazopanib and placebo arms (hazard ratio 1.0, 95% confidence interval 0.80–1.26; nominal p > 0.9). OS was worse for patients with T4 disease compared to those with less advanced disease and was better for patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 compared to those with lower BMI. OS was significantly better for patients who remained diseasefree at 2 yr after treatment compared with those who relapsed within 2 yr. These findings are consistent with the primary outcomes from PROTECT, indicating that adjuvant pazopanib does not confer a benefit in terms of OS for patients following resection of locally advanced RCC. Patient summaryIn the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 PROTECT study, overall survival was similar for patients with locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at high risk of relapse after nephrectomy who received adjuvant therapy with pazopanib or placebo. Pazopanib is not recommended as adjuvant therapy following resection of locally advanced RCC.This trial is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01235962.

Update on the most promising biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

In the last few years, the standard of care for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) has changed dramatically with the emergence of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI): anti-PD(L)-1 used as a monotherapy or as in combination either with an anti CTLA-4 or with an anti-angiogenic molecule (VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)). These combinations are now recommended in first line setting for mccRCC, according to the last European recommendations. In the face of these new therapeutic options, the question of selecting the best treatment arises as well as the optimal sequence. Predictive biomarkers are required to guide the therapeutic choice and provide a personalized treatment for each patient. This narrative review will provide an overview of the main predictive biomarkers assessed in mccRCC treatment, with a particular focus on mRNA panel signatures.