Pazopanib: the newest tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Article Details

Citation

Keisner SV, Shah SR

Pazopanib: the newest tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Drugs. 2011 Mar 5;71(4):443-54. doi: 10.2165/11588960-000000000-00000.

PubMed ID
21395357 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Treatment options for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have multiplied in the past 5 years. Pazopanib is the third tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and the sixth targeted therapy that has received US FDA approval for the treatment of advanced or metastatic RCC. The primary mechanism of action of pazopanib in RCC is through its antiangiogenic properties via inhibition of the intracellular tyrosine kinase of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and platelet-derived growth factor receptor. A placebo-controlled phase III study demonstrated that pazopanib significantly improved response rates and progression-free survival (PFS) in both treatment-naive and cytokine-pretreated patients. Among treatment-naive patients, the response rate was 32% and PFS was 11.1 months. In cytokine-pretreated patients, the response rate and PFS were 29% and 7.4 months, respectively. Common adverse effects of pazopanib include diarrhoea, hypertension and elevation of liver enzymes. Overall, the adverse effect profile of pazopanib is similar to that of other TKIs used for the treatment of RCC, but variation in the incidence and severity may exist. Pazopanib has an increased propensity to cause hepatotoxicity, which may be fatal in rare cases. Hepatic function must be monitored closely with dose interruption and/or reduction if elevation of hepatic function tests occurs. Pazopanib is administered on an empty stomach at a dose of 800 mg daily until disease progression, but dose reduction may be required in patients with baseline elevation of hepatic function tests, particularly total bilirubin. The minimum dose recommended for baseline hepatic dysfunction or toxicity is 200 mg daily. The potential for drug interactions exists for pazopanib. It is a substrate of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein, and it weakly inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2C8 and CYP2D6, and potently inhibits UGT1A1 and OATP1B1. Currently, no study has directly compared pazopanib with other first- or second-line therapies in RCC. However, published clinical trials of pazopanib show similar efficacy outcomes to those of other targeted therapies. Therefore, pazopanib may be considered a first-line treatment option among other therapies including sunitinib, temsirolimus, and bevacizumab plus interferon-alpha. After failure of cytokine therapy, pazopanib is a treatment option as well as sorafenib or bevacizumab. No study has evaluated pazopanib treatment after failure of another targeted therapy. Future studies will further clarify the comparative efficacy of pazopanib with other agents as well as optimal sequencing with other agents. If similar efficacy is seen among the TKIs, it is likely that varying incidences of adverse effects may be analysed to tailor therapy according to the patient's individual co-morbidities and preferences.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Enzymes
DrugEnzymeKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
PazopanibCytochrome P450 2C8ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Inhibitor
Details
PazopanibCytochrome P450 2D6ProteinHumans
Unknown
Inhibitor
Details
PazopanibCytochrome P450 3A4ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Inhibitor
Details
Drug Interactions
DrugsInteraction
Pazopanib
Methimazole
The metabolism of Pazopanib can be decreased when combined with Methimazole.
Pazopanib
Voriconazole
The metabolism of Pazopanib can be decreased when combined with Voriconazole.
Pazopanib
Efavirenz
The metabolism of Pazopanib can be decreased when combined with Efavirenz.
Pazopanib
Delavirdine
The metabolism of Pazopanib can be decreased when combined with Delavirdine.
Pazopanib
Telithromycin
The metabolism of Pazopanib can be decreased when combined with Telithromycin.