Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Modeling Spontaneous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) in Mice Following Nephrectomy
11:27

Modeling Spontaneous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) in Mice Following Nephrectomy

Published on: April 29, 2014

Axitinib for renal cell carcinoma

Guru Sonpavde1, Thomas E Hutson, Brian I Rini

  • 1Genitourinary Oncology Program, Texas Oncology PA, Houston, TX 77598, USA.

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|May 2, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Axitinib is a new oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor showing promise for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment. Clinical trials indicate favorable activity and toxicity profiles in patients previously treated for RCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) management has been transformed by targeted therapies like sunitinib, sorafenib, and temsirolimus.
  • Bevacizumab plus interferon (IFN) is another therapeutic option for RCC.
  • Axitinib (AG-013736) represents a novel oral, selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review preclinical and clinical data supporting axitinib's development for renal cell carcinoma.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of axitinib in RCC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Preclinical studies assessing axitinib's inhibitory profile.
  • Phase II clinical trials in patients with pretreated RCC.

Main Results:

  • Axitinib potently inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR-1, -2, -3) and platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR-alpha, -beta), as well as c-kit.
  • Phase II trials demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity in RCC patients previously treated with sorafenib or cytokines.
  • Axitinib exhibited a favorable toxicity profile in clinical studies.

Conclusions:

  • Axitinib demonstrates significant preclinical potency and promising clinical activity in advanced renal cell carcinoma.
  • The favorable safety profile supports further investigation and development of axitinib for RCC treatment.

Related Concept Videos

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates these...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors01:25

Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an intricate physiological pathway involving numerous enzymes and hormones, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I and II, and aldosterone. Imbalances within this system increase the production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Increased angiotensin II levels promote vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Concurrently, higher aldosterone levels stimulate sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys,...