Hypertension in cancer patients treated with anti-angiogenic based regimens

Use of lenvatinib in the treatment of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer: a multidisciplinary perspective for daily practice

Background

Most thyroid cancers of follicular origin have a favorable outcome. Only a small percentage of patients will develop metastatic disease, some of which will become radioiodine refractory (RAI-R). Important challenges to ensure the best therapeutic outcomes include proper, timely, and appropriate diagnosis; decisions on local, systemic treatments; management of side effects of therapies; and a good relationship between the specialist, patients, and caregivers.

Methods

With the aim of providing suggestions that can be useful in everyday practice, a multidisciplinary group of experts organized the following document, based on their shared clinical experience with patients with RAI-R differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) undergoing treatment with lenvatinib. The main areas covered are patient selection, initiation of therapy, follow-up, and management of adverse events.

Conclusions

It is essential to provide guidance for the management of RAI-R DTC patients with systemic therapies, and especially lenvatinib, since compliance and adherence to treatment are fundamental to achieve the best outcomes. While the therapeutic landscape in RAI-R DTC is evolving, with new targeted therapies, immunotherapy, etc., lenvatinib is expected to remain a first-line treatment and mainstay of therapy for several years in the vast majority of patients and settings. The guidance herein covers baseline work-up and initiation of systemic therapy, relevance of symptoms, multidisciplinary assessment, and patient education. Practical information based on expert experience is also given for the starting dose of lenvatinib, follow-up and monitoring, as well as the management of adverse events and discontinuation and reinitiating of therapy. The importance of patient engagement is also stressed.

Analysis of Anti-Angiogenesis-Related Adverse Events Associated with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Limited studies have evaluated anti-angiogenesis-related adverse events involving oral vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma using real-world data.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the incidence, patterns, and impact on the dose intensity of anti-angiogenesis-related adverse events associated with the use of VEGFR-TKIs in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma using real-world data.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included patients with a diagnosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received axitinib, cabozantinib, pazopanib, sorafenib, and sunitinib at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. We categorized the patients into those who had not previously received a VEGFR-TKI (VEGFR-TKI-naive) and those who had previously received a VEGFR-TKI (VEGFR-TKI-experienced). Anti-angiogenesis-related adverse events were defined as hypertension, proteinuria, bleeding, thrombosis, hypothyroidism, and left ventricular dysfunction, which were rated "possible" or higher based on a causality assessment scale.

RESULTS

Among a total of 988 patients, 674 patients were VEGFR-TKI-naïve and 314 patients were VEGFR-TKI-experienced. Anti-angiogenesis-related adverse events of any grade and severe adverse events occurred in 65.1 and 34.6% of VEGFR-TKI-naïve patients and 54.8 and 36.0% of VEGFR-TKI-experienced patients, respectively. Regardless of treatment history, the most common adverse event was hypertension, with 48.6% in VEGFR-TKI-naïve patients and 35.0% in VEGFR-TKI-experienced patients. For VEGFR-TKI-experienced patients, the overall rate of anti-angiogenesis-related adverse events for sorafenib (24.3%) was lower than that for other VEGFR-TKIs (p < 0.05). Patients experiencing anti-angiogenesis-related adverse events were 1.6 times more likely to receive a low relative dose intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half and more than one-third of patients with renal cell carcinoma receiving VEGFR-TKIs experienced any and severe anti-angiogenesis-related adverse events, respectively. The relative dose intensity of VEGFR-TKI treatment was associated with anti-angiogenesis-related adverse events.

Use of multikinase inhibitors/lenvatinib in patients with high cardiovascular risk/vasculopathy and radioiodine refractory-differentiated thyroid cancer

Antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the treatment of choice in radioiodine refractory-differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). Nevertheless, these therapies present class toxicities that may impact their feasibility and patient's quality of life. Their mechanism of action explains the high prevalence of hypertension associated with their use, which reaches 68% with lenvatinib. Moreover, up to 85% of patients treated in the SELECT clinical trial were receiving baseline antihypertensive treatment. These data support the need for prevention, detection, and early management of hypertension. Prevention can be accomplished by controlling cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia) and those associated with lifestyle (smoking, harmful alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity) and electrolyte disorders. It is necessary to achieve stabilization of cardiovascular diseases. Detection involves baseline measurement and monitoring of blood pressure and cardiac function. Treatment requires optimization of baseline blood pressure and early initiation of antihypertensive agents.

Intracellular Signaling Pathways Mediating Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Cardiotoxicity

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are used to treat several cancers; however, a myriad of adverse cardiotoxic effects remain a primary concern. Although hypertension (HTN) is the most common adverse effect reported with TKI therapy, incidents of arrhythmias (eg, QT prolongation, atrial fibrillation) and heart failure are also prevalent. These complications warrant further research toward understanding the mechanisms of TKI-induced cardiotoxicity. Recent literature has given some insight into the intracellular signaling pathways that may mediate TKI-induced cardiac dysfunction. In this article, we discuss the cardiotoxic effects of TKIs on cardiomyocyte function, signaling, and possible treatments.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Analog and 20-HETE Antagonist Combination Prevent Hypertension Development in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Numerous studies indicate a significant role for cytochrome P-450-dependent arachidonic acid metabolites in blood pressure regulation, vascular tone, and control of renal function. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) exhibit a spectrum of beneficial effects, such as vasodilatory activity and anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-apoptotic properties. 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) is a potent vasoconstrictor that inhibits sodium reabsorption in the kidney. In the present study, the efficiency of EET-A (a stable analog of 14,15-EET) alone and combined with AAA, a novel receptor antagonist of 20-HETE, was tested in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Adult SHR (16 weeks old) were treated with two doses of EET-A (10 or 40 mg/kg/day). In the following experiments, we also tested selected substances in the prevention of hypertension development in young SHR (6 weeks old). Young rats were treated with EET-A or the combination of EET-A and AAA (both at 10 mg/kg/day). The substances were administered in drinking water for 4 weeks. Blood pressure was measured by telemetry. Once-a-week observation in metabolic cages was performed; urine, blood, and tissue samples were collected for further analysis. The combined treatment with AAA + EET-A exhibited antihypertensive efficiency in young SHR, which remained normotensive until the end of the observation in comparison to a control group (systolic blood pressure, 134 ± 2 versus 156 ± 5 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.05). Moreover the combined treatment also increased the nitric oxide metabolite excretion. Considering the beneficial impact of the combined treatment with EET-A and AAA in young rats and our previous positive results in adult SHR, we suggest that it is a promising therapeutic strategy not only for the treatment but also for the prevention of hypertension.

Incidence and risk factors of hypertension therapy in Australian cancer patients treated with vascular signalling pathway inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials report systemic hypertension is an adverse effect of vascular signalling pathway inhibitor (VSPi) use. There are limited data from routine clinical practice. We aimed to estimate the real-world incidence and risk factors of new-onset and aggravated hypertension for cancer patients dispensed VSPi in whole-of-population Australian setting.

METHODS

We used dispensing records for a 10% random sample of Australians to identify treatment with subsidised VSPi from 2013 to 2018. We further identified dispensings of oral antihypertensive medicines 6 months before and 12 months after VSPi therapy. We defined (i) new-onset hypertension in people first dispensed antihypertensives after VSPi and (ii) aggravated hypertension in people with prior antihypertensive use dispensed an additional, or higher strength, antihypertensive after VSPi. We applied the Fine-Gray cumulative incidence function and Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

1802 patients were dispensed at least one VSPi. The mean age of the cohort was 65 years and 57% were male. The incidence of new-onset treated hypertension was 24.3% (95%CI: 21.2-27.8); age ≥ 60 years (HR 1.74; 95%CI: 1.32-2.31) and treatment with oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors compared to bevacizumab (HR 1.96; 95%CI: 1.16-3.31) were risk factors. The incidence of aggravated hypertension was 25.2% (95%CI: 22.0-28.7) and risk was elevated for patients with renal cancer (HR 2.84; 95%CI: 1.49-5.41) and cancers other than colorectal (HR 1.85; 95%CI: 1.12-3.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Our real-world estimates of incident hypertension appear comparable to those observed in clinical trials (21.6-23.6%). Our population-based study provides some insight into the burden of hypertension in patients commencing VSPi in routine practice.

Kinase-Inhibitors in Iodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer-Focus on Occurrence, Mechanisms, and Management of Treatment-Related Hypertension

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) usually has a good prognosis when treated conventionally with thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine (RAI) and thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression, but some tumors develop a resistance to RAI therapy, requiring alternative treatments. Sorafenib, lenvatinib and cabozantinib are multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) approved for the treatment of RAI-refractory DTC. The drugs have been shown to improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) via the inhibition of different receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that are involved in tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Both sorafenib and lenvatinib have been approved irrespective of the line of therapy for the treatment of RAI-refractory DTC, whereas cabozantinib has only been approved as a second-line treatment. Adverse effects (AEs) such as hypertension are often seen with MKI treatment, but are generally well manageable. In this review, current clinical studies will be discussed, and the toxicity and safety of sorafenib, lenvatinib and cabozantinib treatment will be evaluated, with a focus on AE hypertension and its treatment options. In short, treatment-emergent hypertension (TE-HTN) occurs with all three drugs, but is usually well manageable and leads only to a few dose modifications or even discontinuations. This is emphasized by the fact that lenvatinib is widely considered the first-line drug of choice, despite its higher rate of TE-HTN.

Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor induced hypertension: Retrospective analysis of the impact of blood pressure elevations on outcomes

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors are known to cause hypertension. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of blood pressure (BP) elevations on outcomes in patients receiving VEGF inhibitors.

METHODS

This retrospective chart review analyzed patients receiving treatment with VEGF inhibitors. The primary endpoint was time to progression (TTP) in those with or without significant increase in BP (increase in systolic BP greater than 20 mm Hg or greater than 10 mm Hg increase in diastolic BP). Secondary endpoints included treatment interruption, therapy discontinuation due to documented adverse effect, and time to BP elevation. Subgroup analyses were completed in those receiving bevacizumab and oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

RESULTS

A total of 155 patients were included and 93 patients (60%) experienced a significant increase in BP. Median time to development of an elevated BP was 47 days. Patients with significant increases in BP had a longer median TTP compared to patients without (8.1 months vs 4.4 months, p = 0.002). No differences were present between groups in treatment interruption or discontinuation due to a documented adverse effect and outcomes were similar in those receiving bevacizumab and oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In the analysis of the impact of severity of BP elevations, those with severe BP elevations were more likely to have treatment interrupted but discontinuation rates were similar across groups.

CONCLUSION

Development of significant BP elevations may be a marker of therapeutic response to VEGF inhibitors and does not limit treatment duration, even in those with severe elevations.

Ramucirumab or placebo plus erlotinib in EGFR-mutated, metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: East Asian subset of RELAY

In the global phase III RELAY study, ramucirumab plus erlotinib (RAM + ERL) demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) to placebo plus erlotinib (PL + ERL) in untreated patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (hazard ratio (HR) [95% CI]: 0.59 [0.46-0.76]). This prespecified analysis assessed RAM + ERL efficacy and safety in the RELAY subset enrolled in East Asia (Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong). Randomized (1:1) patients received oral ERL (150 mg/d) plus intravenous RAM (10 mg/kg) or PL Q2W. Primary endpoint was PFS (investigator-assessed). Key secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DoR), overall survival (OS), and safety. Exploratory endpoints included biomarker analyses and time to second progression (PFS2). Median PFS was 19.4 vs 12.5 mo for RAM + ERL (n = 166) vs PL + ERL (n = 170) (HR: 0.636 [0.485-0.833]; P = .0009). The 1-y PFS rate was 72.4% vs 52.2%, respectively. PFS benefit was consistent in most subgroups, including by EGFR mutation (Ex19del, Ex21.L858R). ORR and DCR were similar in both arms, but median DoR was longer with RAM + ERL. OS and PFS2 were immature at data cut-off (censoring rates, 81.2%-84.3% and 64.1%-70.5%, respectively). Grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events were more frequent with RAM + ERL (70.7%) than PL + ERL (49.4%). Adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation were similar in both arms (RAM + ERL, 13.3%; PL + ERL, 12.9%), as were post-progression EGFR T790M mutation rates (43%; 50%). With superior PFS over PL + ERL and safety consistent with the overall RELAY population, RAM + ERL is a viable treatment option for EGFR-mutated metastatic NSCLC in East Asia.

Increase in Blood Pressure Associated With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Objectives

This study quantified the change in blood pressure (BP) during antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy, compared BPs between TKIs, and analyzed change in BP during antihypertensive therapy.

Background

TKIs targeting VEGF are associated with hypertension. The absolute change in BP during anti-VEGF TKI treatment is not well characterized outside clinical trials.

Methods

A retrospective single-center study included patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received anti-VEGF TKIs between 2007 and 2018. Mixed models analyzed 3,088 BPs measured at oncology clinics.

Results

In 228 patients (baseline systolic blood pressure [SBP] 130.2 ± 16.3 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure [DBP] 76.8 ± 9.3 mm Hg), anti-VEGF TKIs were associated with mean increases in SBP of 8.5 mm Hg (p < 0.0001) and DBP of 6.7 mm Hg (p <0.0001). Of the anti-VEGF TKIs evaluated, axitinib was associated with the greatest BP increase, with an increase in SBP of 12.6 mm Hg (p < 0.0001) and in DBP of 10.3 mm Hg (p < 0.0001) relative to baseline. In pairwise comparisons between agents, axitinib was associated with greater SBPs than cabozantinib by 8.4 mm Hg (p = 0.004) and pazopanib by 5.1 mm Hg (p = 0.01). Subsequent anti-VEGF TKI courses were associated with small increases in DBP, but not SBP, relative to the first course. During anti-VEGF TKI therapy, calcium-channel blockers and potassium-sparing diuretic agents were associated with the largest BP reductions, with decreases in SBP of 5.6 mm Hg (p < 0.0001) and 9.9 mm Hg (p = 0.007), respectively.

Conclusions

Anti-VEGF TKIs are associated with increased BP; greatest increases are observed with axitinib. Calcium-channel blockers and potassium-sparing diuretic agents were associated with the largest reductions in BP.

Expert recommendations on the management of hypertension in patients with ovarian and cervical cancer receiving bevacizumab in the UK

Bevacizumab is an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody that may prolong survival in ovarian and cervical cancer when given in combination with chemotherapy. It works by blocking the signalling pathways that are required for tumour angiogenesis, potentially limiting the cancer’s ability to grow and spread. Hypertension is a known side effect of all angiogenesis inhibitors and could lead to interruption or premature discontinuation of effective anti-cancer treatment. Hypertension may also act as a barrier to the initiation of such treatment. In this review, we aim to present clear and practical recommendations on the management of blood pressure in ovarian and cervical cancer patients before, during and after bevacizumab treatment. This guidance covers considerations before initiating bevacizumab therapy and recommendations on the management of patients who develop hypertension, or who experience worsening of pre-existing hypertension, during bevacizumab treatment, and once the course of bevacizumab has been completed. These recommendations were developed collaboratively by a group of clinicians, comprising cardiologists, oncologists, a general practitioner and specialist oncology nurses, with expertise and practical experience in either oncology or hypertension. The aim of these recommendations is to support oncologists with hypertension assessment and management to facilitate starting or continuing bevacizumab.

The Impact of Pazopanib on the Cardiovascular System

Pazopanib is an approved treatment for renal cell carcinoma and a second-line treatment for nonadipocytic soft-tissue sarcoma. However, its clinical efficacy is limited by its cardiovascular side effects. Pazopanib and other vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been associated with the development of hypertension, QT interval prolongation, and other cardiovascular events; however, these mechanisms are largely unknown. Gaining a deeper understanding of these mechanisms is essential for the development of appropriate surveillance strategies and possible diagnostic biomarkers to allow us to monitor patients and modulate therapy prior to significant cardiac insult. This approach will be vital in keeping patients on these life-saving therapies and may be applicable to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors as well. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the preclinical and clinical side effects of pazopanib with a focus on the mechanisms responsible for its toxicity to the cardiovascular system.

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.

A Pharmacometric Framework for Axitinib Exposure, Efficacy, and Safety in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients

The relationships between exposure, biomarkers (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble VEGF receptors (sVEGFR)-1, -2, -3, and soluble stem cell factor receptor (sKIT)), tumor sum of longest diameters (SLD), diastolic blood pressure (dBP), and overall survival (OS) were investigated in a modeling framework. The dataset included 64 metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients (mRCC) treated with oral axitinib. Biomarker timecourses were described by indirect response (IDR) models where axitinib inhibits sVEGFR-1, -2, and -3 production, and VEGF degradation. No effect was identified on sKIT. A tumor model using sVEGFR-3 dynamics as driver predicted SLD data well. An IDR model, with axitinib exposure stimulating the response, characterized dBP increase. In a time-to-event model the SLD timecourse predicted OS better than exposure, biomarker- or dBP-related metrics. This type of framework can be used to relate pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety to long-term clinical outcome in mRCC patients treated with VEGFR inhibitors. (ClinicalTrial.gov identifier NCT00569946.).

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.

Aspalatone Prevents VEGF-Induced Lipid Peroxidation, Migration, Tube Formation, and Dysfunction of Human Aortic Endothelial Cells

Although aspalatone (acetylsalicylic acid maltol ester) is recognized as an antithrombotic agent with antioxidative and antiplatelet potential; its efficacy in preventing endothelial dysfunction is not known. In this study, we examined the antiangiogenic, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory effect of aspalatone in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Specifically, the effect of aspalatone on VEGF-induced HAECs growth, migration, tube formation, and levels of lipid peroxidation-derived malondialdehyde (MDA) was examined. Our results indicate that the treatment of HAECs with aspalatone decreased VEGF-induced cell migration, tube formation, and levels of MDA. Aspalatone also inhibited VEGF-induced decrease in the expression of eNOS and increase in the expression of iNOS, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. Aspalatone also prevented the VEGF-induced adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells. Furthermore, aspalatone also prevented VEGF-induced release of inflammatory markers such as Angiopoietin-2, Leptin, EGF, G-CSF, HB-EGF, and HGF in HAECs. Thus, our results suggest that aspalatone could be used to prevent endothelial dysfunction, an important process in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.

Ponatinib reduces viability, migration, and functionality of human endothelial cells

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia. With the advent of highly efficacious therapy, the focus has shifted toward managing TKI adverse effects, such as vascular adverse events (VAEs). We used an in vitro angiogenesis model to investigate the TKI-associated VAEs. Our data show that imatinib, nilotinib, and ponatinib reduce human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) viability. Pharmacological concentrations of ponatinib induced apoptosis, reduced migration, inhibited tube formation of HUVECs, and had a negative effect on endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function. Furthermore, in HUVECs transfected with VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), the effect of ponatinib on tube formation and on all parameters representing normal endothelial cell function was less prominent than in control cells. This is the first report regarding the pathogenesis of ponatinib-associated VAEs. The antiangiogenic effect of ponatinib, possibly mediated by VEGFR2 inhibition, as shown in our study, is another piece in the intricate puzzle of TKI-associated VAEs.