Votrient for Glioblastoma – pro
Glioblastoma is a common brain cancer. Votrient is a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1, -2, and -3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha and -beta, and c-Kit. It also exhibits activity against melanoma and breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancers, although it has not yet been approved for use in those cancers. In this it is an advance over other currently available similar drugs that don’t have as a broad activity and affect one or two targets. It is currently approved for renal cell carcinoma. It is in clinical trials for glioblastoma. An encouraging phase II study in glioblastoma had been published.
The objective of this phase II single-arm study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety in recurrent glioblastoma.
The objective of this phase II single-arm study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pazopanib, a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1, -2, and -3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha and -beta, and c-Kit, in recurrent glioblastoma. Single-agent pazopanib did not prolong PFS in this patient population but showed in situ biological activity as demonstrated by radiographic responses.
More research is ongoing.
It is important to know that 52% of the patients in one study reported diarrhea, although only less than 4% had grade 3 or 4)severe) symptoms. 40% of the patients experienced an increase in blood pressure and other side effects. Careful attention to managing side effects can prevent discontinuation of therapy.
Howard A. Fine, Phase II trial of pazopanib (GW786034), an oral multi-targeted angiogenesis inhibitor, for adults with recurrent glioblastoma Neuro Oncol., 12(8):855-61, 2010
Read the Layperson version here.