Promising Results For New Kidney Cancer Drug
A phase II trial on axitinib, a new experimental drug for treating patients with cytokine-refractory, metastatic kidney cancer who have a poor response to more traditional drugs has shown promising results according to a new study published in the The Lancet Oncology.
In an intention to treat analysis, the study produced the following results:
- Of the 52 patients, 2 responded completely and 21 partially.
- This equated to an objective response rate of 44.2 per cent.
- The median response rate was 23.0 months (range 4.2 to 29.8 months).
- But 12 of 23 initial responders progressed with response durations of 4.2 to 26.5 months.
- Also, 22 patients showed stable disease for more than 8 weeks, with 13 of them for 24 weeks or more.
- 4 patients had early disease progression, 3 had missing response data.
- Median time to progression was 15.7 months (range 0.03 to 31.5 months).
- Median overall survival was 29·9 months (range 2·4 to 35·8 months).
- Adverse events linked to treatment included diarrhoea, hypertension, fatigue, nausea, and hoarseness.
- High blood pressure was found in 30 patients.
- Of these, all but 8 responded to blood pressure treatment. 7 of the 8 had a history of high blood pressure at enrollment.
