Subgroup analysis of Japanese patients in a phase 3 study of lenvatinib in radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer

Lenvatinib for Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma and Candidate Biomarkers Associated with Survival: A Multicenter Study in Korea

Background: Lenvatinib, an oral multikinase inhibitor, is the latest addition to the treatment options for radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory progressive differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). This study investigated the efficacy of lenvatinib in real-world practice and prognostic biomarkers of survival. Methods: This multicenter study included 43 patients receiving lenvatinib as first-line or second-line treatment after sorafenib for RAI-refractory DTC. Progression-free survival (PFS) was evaluated according to various clinical factors including thyroglobulin doubling time (TgDT), tumor volume DT (TVDT), and tumor growth slope (TGS; slope of tumor change rate). Results: Patients were treated with lenvatinib for a median of 14 months; 32 were previously treated with sorafenib. The median follow-up from lenvatinib initiation to the last censoring or death was 16 months. The median starting dose of 20 mg was reduced to a median sustainable dose of 10 mg in accordance with patient adverse events (AEs). The median PFS was 21.8 months; the median overall survival was not reached. The disease control rate was 97.7%, with the first objective response at 3.8 months. PFS was not significantly associated with previous sorafenib treatment, metastatic sites, or sustainable dose. TGS measured before (TGS_pre, p = 0.003) and after (TGS_post, p = 0.036) the initiation of lenvatinib was associated with PFS. The sum of the largest diameters of target lesions (p = 0.043) and TgDT (p = 0.024) were associated with PFS, but TVDT calculated before (TVDT_pre, p = 0.923) or after (TVDT_post, p = 0.966) lenvatinib treatment did not impact PFS. Lenvatinib was withdrawn in 24 patients (55.8%): in 6 patients because of treatment-induced AEs and in 18 patients because of disease progression or poor performance status. AEs of any grade were reported in all patients, and grade 3-4 AEs in 23.2% of the patients. The most frequent AE was fatigue or asthenia. Conclusions: Our results indicate that reduced doses of lenvatinib triggered by emergent AEs did not abrogate its apparent efficacy in patients with RAI-refractory DTCs. Rather, the sustained use of reduced doses of lenvatinib with a low rate of severe AEs may have contributed to the favorable outcomes. TgDT and TGS can assist in predicting the outcomes in these patients.

Urinalysis by combination of the dipstick test and urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR) assessment can prevent unnecessary lenvatinib interruption in patients with thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Proteinuria induced by lenvatinib is a class effect that occurs secondary to VEGFR suppression. Withholding of lenvatinib is required in cases with severe proteinuria. Urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR, g/gCre) has recently attracted attention as an alternative to 24-h urine collection for assessing proteinuria. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between the results of proteinuria assessed by the dipstick test and UPCR, and to investigate the influence of proteinuria grading with UPCR on lenvatinib dose adjustment compared to that with only the dipstick test.

METHOD

Three hundred and ten urine samples from 63 patients with advanced thyroid cancer under treatment with lenvatinib, which were tested by both the dipstick test and UPCR were analyzed. Lenvatinib was withheld when there was evidence of CTCAE grade 3 proteinuria, and restarted when it resolved. The frequency of proteinuria, correlation between the results of the dipstick test and UPCR test, and the effect of dose withholding in cases with results of 3 + in the dipstick test were calculated.

RESULTS

Proteinuria was seen in 56 (88.9%) patients. Of the 154 dipstick 3 + samples, only 56 (36.4%) were judged as more than 3.5 g/gCre by UPCR (grade 3 proteinuria), although none of the 1 + and only 3.7% of 2 + samples were judged as grade 3 proteinuria. We were able to prevent unnecessary lenvatinib interruption due to proteinuria in 63.6% of dipstick 3 + samples by assessment of UPCR.

CONCLUSIONS

Urinalysis by combination of the dipstick test and UPCR assessment might be a better strategy for preventing unnecessary interruption of lenvatinib.

Sarcopenia is a prognostic factor for TKIs in metastatic thyroid carcinomas

PURPOSE

Among patients with various cancers receiving anticancer drugs, sarcopenia is associated with poor survival and treatment outcomes. We conducted an observational study using skeletal muscle index (SMI) evaluation to investigate the association between sarcopenia and treatment outcomes of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in metastatic thyroid cancer patients.

METHODS

We included 54 patients (19 men, 35 women; age, 66.5 ± 10.9 years) with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) or medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The records of patients with metastatic DTC and MTC treated with TKIs were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups based on SMI. The SMI cutoff values for sarcopenia were 42 and 38 (cm²/m²) for males and females, respectively. Thirty-three patients had sarcopenia before TKI treatment.

RESULTS

The sarcopenia group had more females and a lower body mass index. The median progression-free survival (PFS) durations were 13.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.1-29.9) and 41.9 (95% CI: 25.2-not estimable) months in the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups (p= 0.017), respectively. Univariate analysis showed that sarcopenia was significantly associated with PFS (p= 0.037). Sex, age, and performance status did not affect PFS. Multivariate analysis showed that sarcopenia was the only independent prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio: 2.488, 95% CI: 1.058-5.846, p= 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia could be a predictive factor of TKI treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic thyroid cancer as well as intervention target to improve prognosis. Further prospective investigations are needed to confirm these preliminary data.

Daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in Japanese patients with transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a phase 1b study

Lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) treatment is common for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) ineligible for autologous stem-cell transplantation. Daratumumab plus Rd (D-Rd) is effective and well tolerated for treating relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In this ongoing phase 1b trial, transplant-ineligible Japanese patients with NDMM received daratumumab (16 mg/kg intravenously every week for 8 weeks, every 2 weeks for 16 weeks, then every 4 weeks until disease progression) plus Rd (R 25 mg on Days 1‒21 of 28-day cycle; d 40 mg weekly). The primary objective was to evaluate D-Rd tolerability and safety in Japanese patients with NDMM. Secondary objectives included daratumumab pharmacokinetics and response rate. During the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) evaluation period, two DLTs occurred in seven (28.6%) patients, indicating D-Rd tolerability. At an 11.0-month median follow-up (interim analysis), grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in six (85.7%) patients, including lymphopenia (71.4%), leukopenia (57.1%), and neutropenia (42.9%). Three (42.9%) patients experienced infusion-related reactions (IRRs). All IRRs were grade 2, occurred during the first daratumumab infusion, and resolved within 24 h. Pharmacokinetic findings were comparable to those in previous studies. A 100% overall response rate was achieved. These findings suggest D-Rd is tolerable in Japanese patients with transplant-ineligible NDMM. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02918331.

Lenvatinib and sorafenib for differentiated thyroid cancer after radioactive iodine: a systematic review and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancer is a rare cancer, accounting for only 1% of all malignancies in England and Wales. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) accounts for ≈94% of all thyroid cancers. Patients with DTC often require treatment with radioactive iodine. Treatment for DTC that is refractory to radioactive iodine [radioactive iodine-refractory DTC (RR-DTC)] is often limited to best supportive care (BSC).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of lenvatinib (Lenvima®; Eisai Ltd, Hertfordshire, UK) and sorafenib (Nexar®; Bayer HealthCare, Leverkusen, Germany) for the treatment of patients with RR-DTC.

DATA SOURCES

EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, The Cochrane Library and EconLit were searched (date range 1999 to 10 January 2017; searched on 10 January 2017). The bibliographies of retrieved citations were also examined.

REVIEW METHODS

We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, prospective observational studies and economic evaluations of lenvatinib or sorafenib. In the absence of relevant economic evaluations, we constructed a de novo economic model to compare the cost-effectiveness of lenvatinib and sorafenib with that of BSC.

RESULTS

Two RCTs were identified: SELECT (Study of [E7080] LEnvatinib in 131I-refractory differentiated Cancer of the Thyroid) and DECISION (StuDy of sorafEnib in loCally advanced or metastatIc patientS with radioactive Iodine-refractory thyrOid caNcer). Lenvatinib and sorafenib were both reported to improve median progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo: 18.3 months (lenvatinib) vs. 3.6 months (placebo) and 10.8 months (sorafenib) vs. 5.8 months (placebo). Patient crossover was high (≥ 75%) in both trials, confounding estimates of overall survival (OS). Using OS data adjusted for crossover, trial authors reported a statistically significant improvement in OS for patients treated with lenvatinib compared with those given placebo (SELECT) but not for patients treated with sorafenib compared with those given placebo (DECISION). Both lenvatinib and sorafenib increased the incidence of adverse events (AEs), and dose reductions were required (for > 60% of patients). The results from nine prospective observational studies and 13 systematic reviews of lenvatinib or sorafenib were broadly comparable to those from the RCTs. Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) data were collected only in DECISION. We considered the feasibility of comparing lenvatinib with sorafenib via an indirect comparison but concluded that this would not be appropriate because of differences in trial and participant characteristics, risk profiles of the participants in the placebo arms and because the proportional hazard assumption was violated for five of the six survival outcomes available from the trials. In the base-case economic analysis, using list prices only, the cost-effectiveness comparison of lenvatinib versus BSC yields an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained of £65,872, and the comparison of sorafenib versus BSC yields an ICER of £85,644 per QALY gained. The deterministic sensitivity analyses show that none of the variations lowered the base-case ICERs to < £50,000 per QALY gained.

LIMITATIONS

We consider that it is not possible to compare the clinical effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of lenvatinib and sorafenib.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with placebo/BSC, treatment with lenvatinib or sorafenib results in an improvement in PFS, objective tumour response rate and possibly OS, but dose modifications were required to treat AEs. Both treatments exhibit estimated ICERs of > £50,000 per QALY gained. Further research should include examination of the effects of lenvatinib, sorafenib and BSC (including HRQoL) for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, and the positioning of treatments in the treatment pathway.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42017055516.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Targeted Therapy for Advanced Thyroid Cancer: Kinase Inhibitors and Beyond

The treatment of advanced thyroid cancer has undergone rapid evolution in the last decade, with multiple kinase inhibitor drug approvals for each subtype of thyroid cancer and a number of other commercially available drugs that have been studied for this indication. Although most of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs are antiangiogenic multikinase inhibitors-vandetanib, cabozantinib, sorafenib, lenvatinib-there are two FDA indications that are mutation specific-dabrafenib/trametinib for BRAF-mutated anaplastic thyroid cancer and larotrectinib for NTRK-fusion thyroid cancer. Furthermore, other mutation-specific drugs, immunotherapies, and novel strategies for advanced thyroid cancer are under investigation. Understanding the molecular basis of thyroid cancer, the drugs of interest for treatment of advanced thyroid cancer, and how these drugs can be administered safely and in the appropriate clinical scenario are the topics of this review.

Lesion-Based Evaluation Predicts Treatment Response to Lenvatinib for Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Korean Multicenter Retrospective Study

Background: Lenvatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) recently approved for treating radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer, has been shown to delay disease progression and provide meaningful benefit for overall survival (OS). However, there is no predictive marker for response to lenvatinib before initiating treatment. We comprehensively analyzed clinical and radiological parameters to predict response to lenvatinib using lesion-based assessments. Methods: Medical records were collected from 67 patients treated with lenvatinib in 11 referral hospitals across Korea from June 2015 to December 2017. Up to 96 measurable lesions, defined as per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, were evaluated serially until progressive disease (PD) occurred, and tumor doubling time (TDT) was calculated based on changes between historical computed tomography (CT) scans and baseline CT scans performed at treatment initiation. Results: Excluding patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer, no thyroidectomy, nontarget lesions only, or treatment periods of <1 month, 57 patients were analyzed, of whom 7 (12.2%) were TKI-naive. The median progression-free survival was 5.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.4-9.5), the median OS was 19.3 months (95% CI 12.4-not reached), the mean duration of response was 6.0 ± 4.4 months, and the objective response rate was 38%. In lesion-based assessments, 31 lesions (32.2%) with significant tumor shrinkage (complete remission or partial response) were significantly associated with shorter TDT (<12 months; p = 0.02). Patients with rapidly PD with a shorter initial TDT (<6 months) were more likely to respond to lenvatinib (p = 0.03). Patients exposed to lenvatinib at an average of ≥16 mg per day, or who were TKI-naive before treatment with lenvatinib, had a lower risk of progression; however, the risk reduction did not reach statistical significance (daily dosage p = 0.07, TKI exposure p = 0.09). Conclusions: TDT calculations at the beginning of treatment and lesion-based tumor assessment may help identify potential responders to lenvatinib therapy and predict therapeutic responses.

Extended Real-World Observation of Patients Treated with Sorafenib for Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma and Impact of Lenvatinib Salvage Treatment: A Korean Multicenter Study

Background: Treatment for patients with radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is challenging. Recently, two tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sorafenib and lenvatinib) have been approved and showed benefits for progression-free survival with tolerable adverse events. Methods: This is an extension study of a previous multicenter, retrospective cohort study of real-world experience in treating 98 patients with progressive RAI-refractory DTC with sorafenib. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The efficacy of lenvatinib as salvage therapy after disease progression on first-line sorafenib was evaluated by comparing outcomes in 32 patients who were treated with lenvatinib with 41 patients who were not and therefore served as a no salvage treatment group. Results: The median OS of all 98 patients treated with sorafenib was 41.5 months, and the median progression-free survival was 13.5 months. Patients without disease-related symptoms before sorafenib treatment had better OS than those with symptoms (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.56 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.31-0.99], p = 0.048). Larger tumor size was associated with a minimally increased risk of death (HR = 1.02 [CI 1.00-1.03], p = 0.049). Best tumor response was not associated with OS (p = 0.490). Lenvatinib salvage treatment significantly improved OS in patients receiving it compared with those who did not (HR = 0.28 [CI 0.15-0.53], p < 0.001). The median OS from the time of disease progression after first-line sorafenib treatment was 4.9 months in no salvage treatment group, whereas it was not reached in the lenvatinib salvage group. Conclusions: The absence of disease-related symptoms and smaller tumor burden was associated with survival benefits of first-line sorafenib treatment in patients with progressive RAI-refractory DTC. Lenvatinib salvage therapy was effective in improving OS in patients with disease progression after first-line sorafenib.

Significant response to anti-PD-1 based immunotherapy plus lenvatinib for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with bone metastasis: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

The prognosis for recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with bone metastasis remains dismal and its treatment poses a challenge for oncologists. To date, only 2 cases were reported in which pembrolizumab, an agent against programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), combined with chemotherapy led to a complete response. The safety and efficacy of nivolumab-based immunotherapy combined with lenvatinibin intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is unknown.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 40-year-old female was identified as having a lesion of 7.0 cm in diameter in the right lobe of the liver. In addition, calculi in the main and left hepatic bile ducts as well as the gallbladder were found.

DIAGNOSIS

Based on the results of imaging studies and tumor biomarker level, the patient was initially diagnosed as having intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma and cholelithiasis, after which surgery was performed. The pathological examination confirmed that the tumor was cholangiocarcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered after surgery. However, the patient developed recurrent lesions at the 5th month after surgery, and the cholangiocarcinoma expanded to the right thoracic vertebral pedicle (T7-8) at the 6th month.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent percutaneous microwave ablation after recurrence in the liver was identified. After that, the patient received nivolumab plus lenvatinib.

OUTCOMES

The lesions in the liver decreased in size and disappeared after treatment with nivolumab plus lenvatinib. Additionally, the metastases in the right thoracic vertebral pedicle were stable after 9 months of therapy.

LESSONS

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer, melanoma, and advanced renal cell carcinoma. In this case, the patient achieved an excellent radiological and symptomatic response after receiving nivolumab plus lenvatinib combination therapy. Patients suffering from cholangiocarcinoma with dMMR status and a high tumor mutation burden (TMB) may have a consistent eutherapeutic effect with anti-PD-1-directed treatment.

Renal dysfunction in patients with radioactive iodine-refractory thyroid cancer treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors: A retrospective study

In 2014/2015, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were introduced as a secondary treatment for refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in Japan. While renal dysfunction is an adverse event of TKI, data on this adverse event in TKI-treated DTC remains insufficient. Here, we investigated renal function in patients undergoing TKI treatment for DTC and evaluated the efficacy of dose reduction/withdrawal for cases of renal dysfunction.A total of 73 cases of radioactive iodine-refractory DTC treated with sorafenib (n = 22) or lenvatinib (n = 51) were included. Patient data evaluated were TKI treatment period, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before and after TKI therapy, incidence and degree (maximum value at time of TKI treatment) of proteinuria, and albumin levels before and after TKI therapy were compared.The mean ΔeGFR was -6.75% with lenvatinib and +5.90% with sorafenib. It was not significant (P = .15). The mean Δalbumin was -8.90% and -5.85% with lenvatinib and sorafenib, respectively; there was no significant difference between the lenvatinib and sorafenib groups (P = .77). According to our program of TKI dose reduction and withdrawal, all patients except 2 with diabetes were successfully continuing treatment.Overall, the present results demonstrated that renal function is negatively affected by long-term TKI treatment for RAI-refractory DTC. However, heightened proteinuria, decreased eGFR and albumin levels, and significant but apparently reversible renal dysfunction were more frequent with lenvatinib than sorafenib.

A Phase II study of the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib in patients with advanced thyroid cancer

Aim: To investigate the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib in advanced thyroid cancer. Patients/methods: In this Phase II study, 51 Japanese patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC), medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) received once-daily lenvatinib 24 mg. The primary end point was safety. Results: All patients experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE); only one patient experienced an AE leading to discontinuation. The most common any-grade AEs were hypertension, decreased appetite, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, fatigue and proteinuria. Response rates for RR-DTC: 68%; MTC: 22%; ATC: 24%. Median progression-free survival for RR-DTC: 25.8 months; MTC: 9.2 months; ATC: 7.4 months. Conclusion: Lenvatinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile, proven antitumor activity in RR-DTC and promising efficacy in MTC and ATC.

Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01728623

Efficacy and tolerability of initial low-dose lenvatinib to treat differentiated thyroid cancer

Some patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) may require an initial low dose (LD) of lenvatinib. However, few studies have investigated the efficacy of LD lenvatinib. We compared the efficacy and tolerability of lenvatinib at an initial LD to those of the standard initial dose of 24 mg in patients with DTC.In this cross-sectional study, records of patients with DTC treated with lenvatinib were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the initial dose of lenvatinib: a full-dose (FD) group that received an initial dose of 24 mg/d and a LD group that received an initial dose of less than 24 mg/d. Categorical variables were compared with the Fisher exact test and continuous variables with Student t test. A progression-free survival (PFS) curve was constructed with the Kaplan-Meier method. A probability (P) value of < .05 was considered statistically significant.Thirty-six patients with DTC were treated with lenvatinib (30 in the FD group and 6 in the LD group). The response rates were 43% and 33% in the FD and LD groups, respectively. The median PFS duration was 696 [95% confidence interval (CI): 318-not available (NA)] days in the FD group. The median PFS of the LD group was not reached (95% CI: 124-NA) (P = .293). Treatment interruptions were required in 25 (83%) patients in the FD group and 4 (67%) in the LD group (P = .573). Dose reductions were required in 28 (93%) patients in the FD group and 4 (67%) in the LD group (P = .121). There were no significant differences in the incidences of common adverse events between the 2 groups.The LD group also required dose reduction and interruption frequently. Since these findings are only the short-term results of a limited number of cases, a large number of cases and long-term observations are needed to determine whether an initial LD is effective for patients with DTC in poor general condition.

Treatment-related adverse effects with TKIs in patients with advanced or radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been administered to advanced or radio-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (RR-DTC) patients for years. We performed a pooled analysis to explore the frequency of severe adverse effects in advanced or RR-DTC patients treated with sorafenib and lenvatinib.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive search of computerized databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, EMASE, and the Cochrane Library, from the drugs' inception to July 2018 to identify clinical trials. All grade and severe adverse events (AEs; grade ≥3) were analyzed. This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results

In total, seve studies published from 2012-2018 with 657 patients were eligible for this study. We included two studies (238 patients) that received 200 mg sorafenib twice and five studies (419 patients) that received 24 mg lenvatinib daily. The frequency of AEs was different among the two drugs. Patients in the sorafenib group had a significantly higher frequency of all grade hand-foot syndrome, hypocalcemia, rash, elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Conversely, the lenvatinib group experienced more frequent all grade voice change, hypertension, nausea, and vomiting compared with those with sorafenib. For grade ≥3 adverse effects, hand-foot syndrome, hypocalcemia, and elevated ALT were more frequent in sorafenib-treated patients. Moreover, lenvatinib-treated patients had a significantly higher incidence of severe weight loss, hypertension, and nausea.

Conclusion

Significant differences in common adverse effects, such as all-grade and severe AEs, were detected between sorafenib and lenvatinib in the current study. Early intervention and management of treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) can minimize the impact on patients' quality-of-life, and avoid unnecessary dose reductions and treatment-related discontinuations.

Safety of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Real-World Use of Lenvatinib and Sorafenib in Korea

Background: Thyroid cancer has become the most common cancer in Korea. Generally, thyroid cancer patients have a good prognosis; however, 15-20% of patients experience recurrence or distant metastasis or are refractory to standard treatment. We assessed the safety of sorafenib and lenvatinib in patients with advanced or metastatic radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) consecutively treated at a tertiary center in South Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all consecutive patients with DTC treated during ≥6 months with lenvatinib (February 2016-April 2018) and sorafenib (January 2014-April 2018) at Gangnam Severance Hospital. Patients were treated according to the prescribing information of each drug and were followed up for 2 months. We evaluated the adverse events (AEs) reported with each drug. Results: A total of 71 medical records (lenvatinib, n = 23; sorafenib, n = 48) were reviewed. The most common histological types were papillary thyroid cancer (69.0%) and follicular thyroid cancer (22.5%). All patients (n = 23) started lenvatinib at a dose of 20 mg; 41.7% of sorafenib-treated patients received an initial dose of 800 mg daily. Four (17.4%) lenvatinib-treated patients and 26 (54.2%) sorafenib-treated patients required treatment discontinuation. The most common AEs of any grade in the lenvatinib group were diarrhea (82.6%), hypertension (78.3%), hand-foot skin reaction (56.5%), weight loss (52.2%), proteinuria (47.8%), and anorexia (43.5%). In the sorafenib group, these were hand-foot skin reaction (87.5%), diarrhea (62.5%), anorexia (60.4%), alopecia (56.3%), mucositis (52.1%), weight loss and generalized weakness (each, 50%), and hypertension (43.8%). The incidence of hand-foot skin reaction, alopecia, and rash of any grade was significantly lower (P = 0.003, P = 0.017, and P = 0.017) in patients treated with lenvatinib compared with those treated with sorafenib. The incidence of hypertension, QT prolongation, and proteinuria of any grade was significantly higher (P = 0.006, P = 0.038, and P < 0.001) in patients treated with lenvatinib compared with those treated with sorafenib. Seven deaths occurred, which were attributed to disease progression. Conclusions: No new safety concerns were identified for either drug. Most AEs were managed with dose modification and medical therapy. AEs such as hypertension and proteinuria warrant close monitoring.

Managing the adverse events associated with lenvatinib therapy in radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer

Lenvatinib is a multikinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors 1-3, fibroblast growth factor receptors 1-4, RET, KIT, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α. Lenvatinib is approved as a monotherapy for the treatment of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer and in combination with everolimus for the second-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. Lenvatinib is also under investigation for the treatment of several malignancies including unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Although lenvatinib is associated with favorable efficacy, it is associated with adverse events (AEs) that the clinician will have to closely monitor for and proactively manage. Most of these AEs are known class effects of VEGF-targeted therapies, including hypertension, diarrhea, fatigue or asthenia, decreased appetite, and weight loss. This review summarizes the safety profile of lenvatinib and offers guidance for the management of both frequent and rare AEs. We discuss the potential mechanisms underlying these AEs and present practical recommendations for managing toxicities. The development of treatment plans that include prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for the management of lenvatinib-associated AEs has the potential to improve patient quality of life, optimize adherence, minimize the need for dose reductions, treatment interruptions, or discontinuations, and maximize patient outcomes.

Nephrectomy for Metastatic Kidney Tumor in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Report of Two Cases

The occurrence of renal tumors originating from thyroid cancer is extremely rare with a few effective treatments for renal metastases. Here, we report the cases of two patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who underwent nephrectomy for a metastatic kidney tumor. Case 1 was a 74-year-old man who was diagnosed with right kidney tumor 10 years after initial surgery for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Right nephrectomy was performed, and the pathology was metastatic PTC. Case 2 was a 68-year-old woman who was diagnosed with left kidney tumor 24 years after surgery for follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). Left nephrectomy was performed, and the pathology was metastatic FTC. Nephrectomy for single renal metastasis could be considered a treatment option if the patients' general condition is positive.

Cohort study exploring the effect of lenvatinib on differentiated thyroid cancer

Lenvatinib is a molecular-targeting agent that was recently approved in Japan for treatment of curatively unresectable, radioactive iodine-refractory, progressive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Because only a few Japanese patients have received lenvatinib in clinical trials, there are limited domestic data on its safety and efficacy or prognostic factors. Therefore, a prospective observational study has been designed to collect safety and efficacy data in at least 300 patients with curatively unresectable DTC receiving lenvatinib therapy (24 mg/day), in order to find predictors of antitumor activity and survival. Patients with progressive curatively unresectable DTC refractory to radioiodine therapy will be enrolled and the primary endpoint will be overall survival. This study is designed to estimate the 95% confidence intervals of the 1-year and 2-year survival rates with a two-sided width of less than 10%. Secondary endpoints will be the time to treatment failure, time to strategy failure, progression-free survival time with clinical progressive disease, response rate, quality of life, safety, and patient reports. The ultimate goal is to obtain information for developing evidence-based guidelines for treatment of DTC, including recommendations on patient selection, dosages, and duration of treatment. This study has been registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000022243).

Thrombotic Microangiopathy with Severe Proteinuria Induced by Lenvatinib for Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Standard therapy for radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is multi-targeted kinase inhibitors (m-TKIs), represented by sorafenib and lenvatinib. One of the main target molecules of m-TKIs is vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R). m-TKIs are known to cause adverse reactions such as hypertension and proteinuria as a class effect. In particular, proteinuria is thought to result from vascular endothelial damage and podocytopathy in glomeruli, and the development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has been reported for VEGF inhibitors. We encountered a patient with RAI-refractory (RR) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who developed proteinuria and renal dysfunction due to lenvatinib. Renal biopsy demonstrated that these changes were caused by TMA. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of TMA due to lenvatinib in a Japanese patient with RR-PTC. A 70-year-old woman developed proteinuria, renal impairment and hypertension while receiving lenvatinib for RR-PTC. Her proteinuria and renal damage continued to worsen despite dose reductions and dose interruptions. Renal biopsy was consistent with the chronic type of TMA. These findings indicate that TMA is a possible cause of proteinuria due to lenvatinib, as has been reported for the VEGF inhibitors.

Selumetinib Activity in Thyroid Cancer Cells: Modulation of Sodium Iodide Symporter and Associated miRNAs

BACKGROUND

The MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)⁻inhibitor selumetinib led to increased radioiodine uptake and retention in a subgroup of patients suffering from radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). We aimed to analyse the effect of selumetinib on the expression of sodium iodide symporter (NIS; SLC5A5) and associated miRNAs in thyroid cancer cells.

METHODS

Cytotoxicity was assessed by viability assay in TPC1, BCPAP, C643 and 8505C thyroid cancer cell lines. NIS, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p, and hsa-miR-146b-3p expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. NIS protein was detected by Western blot. Radioiodine uptake was performed with a Gamma counter.

RESULTS

Selumetinib caused a significant reduction of cell viability in all thyroid cancer cell lines. NIS transcript was restored by selumetinib in all cell lines. Its protein level was found up-regulated in TPC1 and BCPAP cells and down-regulated in C643 and 8505C cells after treatment with selumetinib. Treatment with selumetinib caused a down-regulation of hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p and hsa-miR-146b-3p in TPC1 and BCPAP cells. In 8505C cells, a stable or down-regulated hsa-miR-146b-5p was detected after 1h and 48h of treatment. C643 cells showed stable or up-regulated hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p and hsa-miR-146b-3p. Selumetinib treatment caused an increase of radioiodine uptake, which was significant in TPC1 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows for the first time that selumetinib restores NIS by the inhibition of its related targeting miRNAs. Further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism activated by hsa-miR-146b-5p, hsa-miR-146b-3p and hsa-let7f-5p to stabilise NIS. Restoration of NIS could represent a milestone for the treatment of advanced RR-DTC.

Clinical Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Profile of Lenvatinib, an Orally Active, Small-Molecule, Multitargeted Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

Lenvatinib is a multikinase inhibitor that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors 1-3, fibroblast growth factor receptors 1-4, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha, and RET and KIT proto-oncogenes. Lenvatinib is approved for the treatment of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer in the United States (US), European Union (EU), Canada, Japan, and Switzerland. It is also approved in combination with everolimus for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma following ≥1 VEGF-targeted treatment in the US and EU. In addition, lenvatinib is under investigation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. As lenvatinib becomes more widely available, a better understanding of its pharmacokinetic profile has become increasingly important. Following oral administration, lenvatinib is absorbed rapidly and is metabolized extensively prior to excretion. This metabolism is mediated by multiple pathways, and several metabolites of lenvatinib have been identified. The effect of food intake on lenvatinib exposure has also been studied and was found to not significantly influence overall exposure to the drug. Exposure to lenvatinib is increased in patients with severe hepatic impairment, indicating that dose reduction must be considered for those patients. The findings summarized here indicate that the clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile for lenvatinib are predictable, with a dose-independent absorption and elimination profile that supports once-daily administration, and has minimal effects due to mild or moderate renal or hepatic impairment or drug interactions.

Successful treatment switch from lenvatinib to sorafenib in a patient with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer intolerant to lenvatinib due to severe proteinuria

Sorafenib and lenvatinib showed efficacy for patients with radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in pivotal phase 3 clinical trials. Although the efficacy of lenvatinib in patients who received previous treatment with multi-target kinase inhibitors (m-TKIs), including sorafenib, was reported, the efficacy of sorafenib in patients who previously received lenvatinib remains unknown. A 75-year-old woman diagnosed as RAI-refractory poorly differentiated carcinoma with multiple lung metastases and started treatment with lenvatinib. She continued to receive lenvatinib but with repeated dose interruptions and reductions due to continuous proteinuria. Because of severe and persistent proteinuria as well as newly developed renal impairment, lenvatinib was suspended after two years of treatment. After the 7-month suspension, her proteinuria and renal impairment were partially improved, but her lung metastases progressed. Because she was unable to tolerate previous treatment with lenvatinib, sorafenib was started. At 7 months of treatment with sorafenib, her lung metastases shrank and she could continue sorafenib without exacerbation of proteinuria or renal impairment. This case may suggest that sorafenib does not exacerbate the proteinuria or renal impairment induced by lenvatinib, and may be an effective treatment option for RAI-refractory DTC patients who are unable to tolerate lenvatinib.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors for advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Radioiodine-refractory advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer has poor prognosis. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer treatment.

METHODS

Studies published up to April 2017 were selected. The pooled effect size was calculated through meta-analysis by using random effects models. Outcomes were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (RR), and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

Six studies examining 1615 patients were included. TKI treatment significantly improved PFS in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.82) and those with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC; HR = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.22-0.58). TKI treatment significantly prolonged OS in patients with DTC (HR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58-0.95). The TKI treatment group exhibited a significantly improved partial response rate (risk ratio = 15.8; 95% CI, 1.77-140.69) but a significantly higher number of AEs compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

TKIs significantly improved PFS and RR in patients with advanced or metastatic DTC or MTC. We recommend thoroughly evaluating patients' health status and cautiously using TKIs to maximize their benefits and minimize their toxicity.

Daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in East Asian patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: subgroup analyses of the phase 3 POLLUX study

In the phase 3 POLLUX study, daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (DRd) significantly reduced the risk of progression/death and induced deeper responses vs. lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone (Rd) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We report a subgroup analysis of East Asian (Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese) patients from POLLUX based on a longer follow-up of 24.7 months. Median progression-free survival was not reached (NR) for DRd vs. 13.8 months for Rd (hazard ratio [HR], 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23–0.76), and overall response rates were higher for DRd vs. Rd (90.2 vs. 72.1%). DRd extended the median duration of response vs. Rd (NR vs. 20.2 months), and minimal residual disease–negative rates at the 10^–5 sensitivity threshold were 21.2 vs. 9.1% for DRd vs. Rd. No new safety signals were observed. Similar efficacy and safety were observed in the smaller subgroup of Japanese patients treated with DRd vs. Rd. These results demonstrate favorable efficacy and safety of DRd vs. Rd in East Asian patients and also in the Japanese-only patient subgroup that are consistent with findings in the overall patient population of POLLUX.

Treatment-emergent hypertension and efficacy in the phase 3 Study of (E7080) lenvatinib in differentiated cancer of the thyroid (SELECT)

BACKGROUND

Hypertension (HTN) is an established class effect of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibition. In the phase 3 Study of (E7080) Lenvatinib in Differentiated Cancer of the Thyroid (SELECT) trial, HTN was the most frequent adverse event of lenvatinib, an inhibitor of VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGFR3, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), FGFR2, FGFR3, FGFR4, platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα), ret proto-oncogene (RET), and stem cell factor receptor (KIT). This exploratory analysis examined treatment-emergent hypertension (TE-HTN) and its relation with lenvatinib efficacy and safety in SELECT.

METHODS

In the multicenter, double-blind SELECT trial, 392 patients with progressive radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC) were randomized 2:1 to lenvatinib (24 mg/d on a 28-day cycle) or placebo. Survival endpoints were assessed with Kaplan-Meier estimates and log-rank tests. The influence of TE-HTN on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed with univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Overall, 73% of lenvatinib-treated patients and 15% of placebo-treated patients experienced TE-HTN. The median PFS for lenvatinib-treated patients with (n = 190) and without TE-HTN (n = 71) was 18.8 and 12.9 months, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.88; P = .0085). For lenvatinib-treated patients, the objective response rate was 69% with TE-HTN and 56% without TE-HTN (odds ratio, 1.72; 95% CI, 0.98-3.01). The median change in tumor size for patients with and without TE-HTN was -45% and -40%, respectively (P = .2). The median OS was not reached for patients with TE-HTN; for those without TE-HTN, it was 21.7 months (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.27-0.69; P = .0003).

CONCLUSIONS

Although HTN is a clinically significant adverse event that warrants monitoring and management, TE-HTN was significantly correlated with improved outcomes in patients with RR-DTC, indicating that HTN may be predictive for lenvatinib efficacy in this population. Cancer 2018;124:2365-72. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Clinical factors related to the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in radioactive iodine refractory recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer patients

New insights in thyroid cancer biology propelled the development of targeted therapies as salvage treatment for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC), and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) lenvatinib has recently become available as a new line of therapy for RR-DTC. The aim of this study is to investigate clinical factors related to the efficacy of TKI therapy in recurrent RR-DTC patients and identify the optimal timing for the start of TKI therapy. The subjects consisted of 29 patients with progressive RR-DTC, 9 males and 20 females, median age 66 years. A univariate analysis was conducted in relation to progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by the Kaplan-Meier method for the following variables: age, sex, histology of the primary tumor, thyroglobulin doubling time before the start of lenvatinib therapy, site of the target lesions, presence of a tumor-mediated symptom at the start of lenvatinib therapy, and baseline tumor size of the target lesions. Median duration of lenvatinib therapy was 14.7 months and median drug intensity was 9.5 mg. At the time of the data cut-off for the analysis, 9 patients (31.0%) have died of their disease (DOD), and a PR (partial response), SD (stable disease), and PD (progressive disease) were observed in 20 patients (69%), 6 patients (20.7%), 3 patients (10.3%), respectively. Univariate analyses showed that the presence of a symptom was the only factor significantly related to poorer PFS and OS. Clinical benefit of TKI therapy will be possibly limited when the therapy starts after tumor-mediated symptoms appear.

A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary that Responded to the Multi-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Lenvatinib

Lenvatinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1, 2, and 3, fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 through 4, as well as platelet-derived growth factor receptor α, RET, and KIT. At present, lenvatinib is used in the treatment of thyroid cancer and renal cell carcinoma. We herein report a case of a 67-year-old patient with squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary who was effectively treated with lenvatinib. The patient was initially diagnosed as having undifferentiated thyroid cancer, and after total thyroidectomy and bilateral lymph node dissection, lenvatinib was administered for the treatment of residual lymph node metastasis. A computed tomography scan after 1 month of lenvatinib administration showed marked regression of the lymph nodes, but interstitial pneumonia was also detected. Because the drug lymphocyte stimulation test for lenvatinib was strongly positive, we concluded that the interstitial pneumonia was induced by lenvatinib. The interstitial pneumonia only improved by the withdrawal of lenvatinib. Finally, his thyroid tumor was diagnosed as a metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma; however, we were unable to identify the primary lesion. This is the first reported case of interstitial pneumonia induced by lenvatinib.

Optimal use of lenvatinib in the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer

The development of orally active, multitargeted kinase inhibitors (MKIs) represents a significant advance in the treatment of progressive, metastatic thyroid cancer. Lenvatinib, an MKI targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, c-Kit, and RET, has shown efficacy in stabilizing previously progressive disease, with emerging evidence of a possible benefit in terms of overall survival. However, lenvatinib is associated with a side-effect profile similar to those of other MKIs that might affect the outcome of therapy. The aim of this review is to summarize the clinical efficacy and safety of MKIs in the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer in pivotal phase III trials. Common adverse events that may occur during lenvatinib therapy and their management are discussed, including conditions in which its administration should be temporarily withdrawn and resumed pending resolution of adverse events. We focus on data from a subanalysis of Japanese patients in the SELECT trial and in a post-marketing study in Japan. We suggest that lenvatinib is a valuable treatment option for advanced differentiated thyroid cancer. Monitoring and careful management of adverse events including supportive care are required to ensure continuation of therapy.

Defining Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Efficacy and Safety of Lenvatinib by Radioiodine-Refractory Criteria in the SELECT Trial

BACKGROUND

While there is a clear consensus for defining radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC), it is unknown whether these criteria are equally valid for determining when radioiodine (RAI) therapy is no longer beneficial and systemic treatment should be considered. Lenvatinib, a multikinase inhibitor, significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) compared to placebo in a Phase 3 trial in RR-DTC (SELECT; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.21 [99% confidence interval (CI) 0.14-0.31]; p < 0.001). This sub-analysis compared clinical outcomes of lenvatinib-treated patients in SELECT stratified by RR-DTC inclusion criteria.

METHODS

In SELECT, patients with measurable RR-DTC and radiologic evidence of disease progression ≤13 months prior to study entry were randomized 2:1 to lenvatinib (24 mg/day; 28-day cycle) or placebo. In this analysis, patients were stratified based on the following RR-DTC inclusion criteria: no RAI uptake, disease progression within 12 months of RAI therapy despite RAI avidity at the time of treatment, and extensive (>600 mCi) cumulative RAI exposure. All had disease progression as an inclusion criterion for SELECT.

RESULTS

Of 392 patients (261 lenvatinib; 131 placebo) enrolled, 275, 235, and 73 patients met the inclusion criteria for no RAI uptake, disease progression despite RAI avidity, and extensive RAI exposure, respectively. There was significant overlap between the patient groups, with 167 (42.6%) patients meeting more than one inclusion criterion. Lenvatinib improved median PFS compared to placebo in all groups ("no RAI uptake": lenvatinib not quantifiable [NQ; CI 14.8-NQ] vs. placebo, 3.7 months [CI 2.5-5.3]; "disease progression despite RAI avidity": lenvatinib 16.5 months [CI 12.8-NQ] vs. placebo, 3.7 months [CI 1.9-5.4]; "extensive RAI exposure": lenvatinib 18.7 months [CI 10.7-NQ] vs. placebo, 3.6 months [CI 1.9-5.5]). Objective response rates were 71.8%, 60.0%, and 56.0% for patients with no RAI uptake, disease progression despite RAI avidity, and extensive RAI exposure, respectively. Lenvatinib-related adverse events were similar across groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparable efficacy and safety profiles were observed in lenvatinib-treated patients regardless of RR-DTC criteria, possibly because of a large overlap among patients fulfilling each criterion. However, differing definitions for RR-DTC may be equally valid because both lenvatinib and placebo arms exhibited similar PFS outcomes across groups.

Lenvatinib, an oral multi-kinases inhibitor, -associated hypertension: Potential role of vascular endothelial dysfunction

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Lenvatinib (Lenvima^®), an oral multi-kinase inhibitor, is effective in the treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs). A severe adverse effect of lenvatinib is hypertension, thus limiting its use as an anti-cancer treatment. Although the pathogenesis of hypertension is generally assumed to involve microvascular bed reduction and an increase in peripheral vascular resistance due to a decrease in nitrogen oxide (NOx) production after vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition, the effects of hypertension on vascular endothelial function in actual patients remain unclear. Here, we examined how lenvatinib affects vascular endothelial function.

METHODS

Ten consecutive DTC patients who did not take any cardiovascular agents were orally administered 24 mg of lenvatinib once daily. Using an EndoPAT2000^® system, we used reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) and evaluated vascular endothelial function on the basis of the RH-PAT index (RHI). We expressed the results as %RHI, which indicates the change compared with pretreatment levels. Additionally, we measured serum NOx and plasma VEGF concentrations pre- and post-treatment.

RESULTS

All of the patients treated with lenvatinib exhibited significant hypertension; the %RHI levels were significantly decreased the day after treatment with lenvatinib. Furthermore, serum NOx and plasma VEGF concentrations were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, compared with pretreatment levels. These results indicate that hypertension induced by lenvatinib may be caused by a decrease in nitric oxide production, as a result of VEGF inhibition and impaired vascular endothelial function.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide the first demonstration that lenvatinib causes hypertension via vascular endothelial dysfunction in human subjects.

The Adverse Effect of Hypertension in the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer with Multi-Kinase Inhibitors

The treatment of thyroid cancer has promising prospects, mostly through the use of surgical or radioactive iodine therapy. However, some thyroid cancers, such as progressive radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma, are not remediable with conventional types of treatment. In these cases, a treatment regimen with multi-kinase inhibitors is advisable. Unfortunately, clinical trials have shown a large number of patients, treated with multi-kinase inhibitors, being adversely affected by hypertension. This means that treatment of thyroid cancer with multi-kinase inhibitors prolongs progression-free and overall survival of patients, but a large number of patients experience hypertension as an adverse effect of the treatment. Whether the prolonged lifetime is sufficient to develop sequelae from hypertension is unclear, but late-stage cancer patients often have additional diseases, which can be complicated by the presence of hypertension. Since the exact mechanisms of the rise of hypertension in these patients are still unknown, the only available strategy is treating the symptoms. More studies determining the pathogenesis of hypertension as a side effect to cancer treatment as well as outcomes of dose management of cancer drugs are necessary to improve future therapy options for hypertension as an adverse effect to cancer therapy with multi-kinase inhibitors.

Lenvatinib for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

BACKGROUND

Lenvatinib has been approved by regulatory agencies in Japan, the United States, and the European Union for treatment of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). Thyroid cancer, however, is a clinically diverse disease that includes anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), the subtype associated with the highest lethality. Effective therapy for ATC is an unmet need.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This phase 2, single-arm, open-label study in patients with thyroid cancer, including ATC, RR-DTC, and medullary thyroid cancer was conducted from 3 September 2012 to 9 July 2015. Patients received lenvatinib 24 mg daily until disease progression or development of unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was safety, and the secondary endpoint was efficacy, as assessed by progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and objective response rate.

RESULTS

At data cutoff, 17 patients with ATC were enrolled. All experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE). The most frequent TEAEs were decreased appetite (82%), hypertension (82%), fatigue (59%), nausea (59%), and proteinuria (59%). Of note, only one patient required lenvatinib withdrawal because of a TEAE, and this TEAE was considered unrelated to lenvatinib. The median PFS was 7.4 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-12.9], the median OS was 10.6 months (95% CI: 3.8-19.8), and the objective response rate was 24%.

CONCLUSION

In this study, lenvatinib demonstrated manageable toxicities with dose adjustments and clinical activity in patients with ATC. This clinical activity of lenvatinib warrants further investigation in ATC.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV

NCT01728623.

Common carotid artery rupture during treatment with lenvatinib for anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a fatal disease for which no effective therapeutic strategies exist. Lenvatinib, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor that targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, has recently been approved in Japan for the treatment of patients with unresectable thyroid cancer including anaplastic thyroid cancer. Although lenvatinib, like the other tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, sunitinib and sorafenib, might also confer a risk of bleeding, fatal bleeding as a result of lenvatinib treatment for anaplastic thyroid cancer has not been described. A 61-year-old woman presented with a 7-cm mass in the right lobe of the thyroid, lymph node metastases to the neck and multiple lung metastases. Fine needle aspiration revealed that the tumor was anaplastic thyroid cancer. The TNM classification was T4aN1bM1, stage IVC. Shortly after local curative surgery, a tumor recurred in her neck that was treated with lenvatinib (24 mg/day). Nineteen days later, the common carotid artery ruptured and the lenvatinib was stopped. She received the best possible supportive care but died 40 days after stopping the lenvatinib. Autopsy findings showed that the tumor had invaded the adventitia of the common carotid artery at the region of the neck surgery, and an aneurysm had developed. However, the adventitia of the common carotid artery was preserved at the non-dissected area. Lenvatinib might confer risk for fatal bleeding in patients with recurrent anaplastic thyroid cancer after neck surgery, particularly with dissection around the common carotid artery.

Onco-cardiology: Present and future

"Onco-cardiology" is a term that indicates cardiotoxicity during treatment of malignant diseases. Many studies have demonstrated that chemotherapy agents induce cardiotoxicity in certain ratios. In clinical settings, active malignant diseases or a history thereof are often encountered in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD); it is not uncommon for a patient to struggle with a prior treatment. We have previously demonstrated a close association between malignant diseases and coronary calcifications in coronary artery disease. The concurrence of arteriosclerotic diseases, including CVD, with malignant diseases should be carefully considered in clinical settings, particularly with regard to scheduled surgical procedures. Moreover, it is essential that all medical professionals associated with cancer care understand these associations. Our advocacy will provide new insight into onco-cardiology.

Subgroup analysis of Japanese patients in a phase 3 study of lenvatinib in radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer

Lenvatinib significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC) in the phase 3 Study of (E7080) Lenvatinib in Differentiated Cancer of the Thyroid (SELECT) trial. This subanalysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib in Japanese patients who participated in SELECT. Outcomes for Japanese patients (lenvatinib, n = 30; placebo, n = 10) were assessed in relationship to the SELECT population (lenvatinib, n = 261; placebo, n = 131). The primary endpoint was PFS; secondary endpoints included overall survival, overall response rate, and safety. Lenvatinib PFS benefit was shown in Japanese patients (median PFS: lenvatinib, 16.5 months; placebo, 3.7 months), although significance was not reached, presumably due to sample size (hazard ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-1.57; P = 0.067). Overall response rates were 63.3% and 0% for lenvatinib and placebo, respectively. No significant difference was found in overall survival. The lenvatinib safety profile was similar between the Japanese and overall SELECT population, except for higher incidences of hypertension (any grade: Japanese, 87%; overall, 68%; grade ≥3: Japanese, 80%; overall, 42%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (any grade: Japanese, 70%; overall, 32%; grade ≥3: Japanese, 3%; overall, 3%), and proteinuria (any grade: Japanese, 63%; overall, 31%; grade ≥3: Japanese, 20%; overall, 10%). Japanese patients had more dose reductions (Japanese, 90%; overall, 67.8%), but fewer discontinuations due to adverse events (Japanese, 3.3%; overall, 14.2%). There was no difference in lenvatinib exposure between the Japanese and overall SELECT populations after adjusting for body weight. In Japanese patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer, lenvatinib showed similar clinical outcomes to the overall SELECT population. Some differences in adverse event frequencies and dose modifications were observed. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01321554.