Pazopanib: a multikinase inhibitor with activity in advanced renal cell carcinoma

Treatment options for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have changed dramatically, and a new paradigm has evolved. IFN-alpha and IL-2 were previously mainstays of therapy, but since December 2005, six new agents have been approved in the USA for the treatment of advanced RCC. Three of these new agents are multitargeted kinase inhibitors, including sunitinib, sorafenib, and recently pazopanib, two target the mTOR (temsirolimus and everolimus), and one is a humanized monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab in combination with IFN-alpha) that targets VEGF. Sunitinib has emerged as the standard of care for treatment-naive RCC patients, with the recently approved bevacizumab and IFN-alpha combination providing an additional option for this population. The recent approval of pazopanib, based on the results from sequential Phase II and III clinical trials demonstrating improved overall response rates and progression-free survival, provides yet another option for front-line therapy. The current article examines the pazopanib preclinical and clinical data, provides an overview of the development of this tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and provides some speculation concerning its role in RCC therapy.

Pazopanib: an antiangiogenic drug in perspective

Pazopanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeted to angiogenesis, has been tested in preclinical and clinical trials and has shown promising activity against a variety of solid tumors, such as renal cancer, all of which are related to the angiogenic pathway. It has a safety profile related to this mechanism of action. Diarrhea, hypertension, hair depigmentation and nausea are the most common side effects. Pazopanib is currently under evaluation as monotherapy and in combination with some potentially synergistic agents of proven activity.