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Cabozantinib: A Review in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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Abstract

Cabozantinib is an inhibitor of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) with roles in cancer pathogenesis. This review focuses on data relevant to the use of cabozantinib tablets (Cabometyx®) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who have been previously treated with the multi-RTK inhibitor sorafenib, an indication for which cabozantinib tablets are approved in the EU and USA. Approval of cabozantinib in this setting was based largely on the findings of CELESTIAL, a phase 3 trial in adults with advanced HCC who had previously received sorafenib, had progressive disease after at least one systemic therapy and had received up to two systemic treatments for their advanced disease. Compared with placebo in this study, cabozantinib prolonged both overall survival and progression-free survival, with these findings largely unaffected by patient/disease characteristics. The tolerability profile of cabozantinib in CELESTIAL was acceptable and consistent with that of other multi-RTK inhibitors, with adverse events that were manageable with dose modification and supportive care. Thus, cabozantinib is a welcome additional treatment option for use in adults with HCC previously treated with sorafenib.

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Acknowledgements

During the peer review process, the marketing authorization holders of cabozantinib (Exelixis and Ipsen) were also offered the opportunity to review this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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  1. Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand

    Emma D. Deeks

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  1. Emma D. Deeks
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Correspondence to Emma D. Deeks.

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Funding

The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

Conflict of interest

Emma Deeks is a salaried employee of Adis/Springer, is responsible for the article content and declares no relevant conflicts of interest.

Additional information

The manuscript was reviewed by:J. Edeline, Medical Oncology Department, Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France; M. Peck-Radosavljevic, Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Nephrology, Central Emergency Medicine, Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Klagenfurt, Austria; L. Rimassa, Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy.

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Deeks, E.D. Cabozantinib: A Review in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Targ Oncol 14, 107–113 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-019-00622-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-019-00622-y

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