Current Imaging Evaluation of Tumor Response to Advanced Medical Treatment in Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma: Clinical Implications

Special Issue on Clinical Applications of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Genitourinary Cancers

In the field of oncologic imaging, MRI represents one of the most powerful diagnostic tools at physicians’ disposal, with its superb contrast resolution and its capability to assess both the morphological and functional features of neoplasms [...]

Successful apatinib treatment for advanced clear cell renal carcinoma as a first-line palliative treatment: A case report

BACKGROUND

Apatinib is an orally bioavailable small-molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In December 2014, the China Food and Drug Administration made it the first anti-angiogenic therapy to be approved for treating metastatic gastric cancer. It was specifically designated as a third-line or later treatment for metastatic gastric cancer.

CASE SUMMARY

Here, we present a case of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with multiple metastases (Stage IV) in a 48-year-old male with an extremely poor general status (Karnofsky 30%). He was initially given pazopanib as a targeted therapeutic. However, he experienced severe adverse reactions within two weeks, including grade IV oral mucositis. We, thus, tried switching his targeted treatment to an apatinib dose of 250 mg once daily since April 2018. The patient demonstrated striking benefits from this switch to the apatinib palliative treatment. Nearly one month later, his pain and other associated symptoms were alleviated. The patient was able to move freely and had an excellent general status (Karnofsky 90%). His progress has been followed up with regularly, allowing for a documented progression-free survival interval of approximately 32 mo.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that, like other multi-target drugs, apatinib may be a useful first-line therapeutic drug for advanced RCC. It may be a particularly helpful curative option when patients are found to be intolerant of other targeted drugs.