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Phase I Study of Pazopanib and Ixabepilone in Patients With Solid Tumors
Chitra Ganesan1, Sri J Obulareddy, James H Fischer
1*University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis §Biothera, Eagan, MN †Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX ‡University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL.
Objectives:
Pazopanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor predominantly acting on tumor endothelium, and ixabepilone is a semisynthetic analog of epothilone B that promotes microtubule stabilization inducing tumor and tumor endothelial cell apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal tolerated dose (OTD) of the combination of pazopanib and ixabepilone for the treatment of metastatic previously treated solid tumors.
Methods:
Dose escalation started at 32 mg/m of ixabepilone and increased to 40 mg/m. Pazopanib was administered initially at 400 mg and escalated at 200 mg increments up to 800 mg. Pharmacokinetic analysis assessed effect of ixabepilone on pazopanib metabolism. Correlative studies evaluated changes in angiogenic cytokines.
Results:
Thirty-one patients (20 male and 11 female; median age, 58 y) with ECOG PS of 0 or 1 were enrolled. Three patients had dose-limiting toxicities (fatigue and neutropenia) at dose level 2 (ixabepilone 40 mg/m and pazopanib 400 mg), and therefore the ixabepilone dose was decreased (32 mg/m) before escalating pazopanib to levels 3 and 4. One patient had a dose-limiting toxicity (thrombocytopenia) at dose level 4 (ixabepilone 32 mg/m and pazopanib 800 mg). Dose level 3 was determined to be the OTD (pazopanib 600 mg and ixabepilone 32 mg/m). The most common toxicities were cytopenias. A significant decrease in the level of sE-selectin was associated with improvement in progression free survival.
Conclusions:
The OTD for combination of pazopanib and ixabepilone was established. There was no impact of ixabepilone on pazopanib pharmacokinetics. The relationship between sE-selectin and progression free survival warrants further investigation.
Insights
The optimal tolerated dose for combining pazopanib and ixabepilone in metastatic solid tumors was determined to be 600 mg pazopanib and 32 mg/m ixabepilone. This combination showed a link between reduced sE-selectin and improved progression-free survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Pazopanib inhibits tumor endothelium, while ixabepilone induces apoptosis in tumor and endothelial cells.
- Metastatic solid tumors require novel combination therapies for improved outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal tolerated dose (OTD) of pazopanib combined with ixabepilone.
- To evaluate the safety and tolerability of this combination in patients with previously treated metastatic solid tumors.
Main Methods:
- Dose escalation study of pazopanib and ixabepilone in 31 patients.
- Pharmacokinetic analysis to assess drug interactions.
- Correlative studies to evaluate changes in angiogenic cytokines.
Main Results:
- The OTD was established at 600 mg pazopanib and 32 mg/m ixabepilone.
- Most common toxicities included cytopenias.
- A decrease in sE-selectin correlated with improved progression-free survival.
Conclusions:
- The OTD for the pazopanib-ixabepilone combination was successfully determined.
- No significant impact of ixabepilone on pazopanib pharmacokinetics was observed.
- The association between sE-selectin levels and progression-free survival requires further investigation.

