Axitinib With Pembrolizumab Promising for Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma

Axitinib plus pembrolizumab is safe and effective among patients with advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), with the potential for activity in other soft tissue sarcoma subtypes, according to an oral presentation at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) 2017 Annual Meeting.¹

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have shown promising clinical activity when combined with pembrolizumab. In an ongoing, open-label, phase 2 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02301039), researchers are recruiting 30 patients with advanced or metastatic sarcoma to receive the drug combination.

Of the 28 patients recruited to date, 29% have ASPS. Among the 18 patients evaluable for this analysis, the 3-month progression-free survival rate (the study’s primary endpoint) was 56%, with 4 partial responses. All 3 evaluable patients with ASPS responded, with a median tumor size decrease of 70%.

Noted grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse events included autoimmune hepatitis, arthritis, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and spontaneous pneumothorax.

The authors concluded that “[axitinib] plus [pembrolizumab] is feasible and well-tolerated, and shows early evidence of activity, particularly in ASPS [patients].”

Updated safety and response data will be presented at an upcoming meeting.

Read more of Cancer Therapy Advisor‘s coverage of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) by visiting the conference page.

Reference

1. Wilky BA, Wieder E, Kolonias D, et al. Antitumor activity of axitinib plus pembrolizumab in a phase II trial for patients with advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) and other soft tissue sarcoma. Oral presentation at: Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) 2017 Annual Meeting. November 8-11, 2017; Maui, Hawaii.