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Cabozantinib for metastatic breast carcinoma: results of a phase II placebo-controlled randomized discontinuation
Sara M Tolaney1,2, Hovav Nechushtan3, Ilan-Gil Ron4
1Department of Medical Oncology, Breast Oncology Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. stolaney@partners.org.
Purpose:
Cabozantinib (XL184), a multi-targeted oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against MET, VEGFR2, AXL, and other tyrosine kinases, was assessed in a cohort of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in a phase II randomized discontinuation trial (RDT).
Methods:
Patients received 100 mg cabozantinib daily during a 12-week lead-in stage. Those with stable disease per modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.0 at 12 weeks were randomized to either continue cabozantinib or receive placebo. Primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) during the 12-week lead-in stage and progression-free survival (PFS) after randomization. Patients were also followed for overall survival (OS).
Results:
Forty-five patients with MBC and a median of three prior lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease were enrolled. The ORR during the lead-in stage was 13.6 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 6-25.7 %), and the disease control rate at week 12 was 46.7 % (95 % CI 31.7-61.6 %). Per the initial RDT study design, patients with stable disease at week 12 were randomized to cabozantinib or placebo. Following a Study Oversight Committee recommendation, randomization was suspended. Patients in the lead-in stage continued on open-label cabozantinib. Patients in the randomization stage were subsequently unblinded. The overall median PFS for all MBC patients was 4.3 months. Median OS was 11.4 months (95 % CI 10.5-16.5 months). The most common grade 3/4 adverse events in the lead-in stage were palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (13 %) and fatigue (11 %). One death from respiratory failure was reported as drug-related during the lead-in stage.
Conclusions:
In heavily pretreated MBC patients, cabozantinib monotherapy demonstrated clinical activity including objective response and disease control.
Insights
Cabozantinib showed clinical activity in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients, demonstrating objective response and disease control. Further investigation into cabozantinib monotherapy for MBC is warranted.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains a significant clinical challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Cabozantinib is an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with demonstrated activity against key oncogenic pathways, including MET, VEGFR2, and AXL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cabozantinib in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
- To assess objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) in a phase II randomized discontinuation trial (RDT).
Main Methods:
- A phase II RDT was conducted involving heavily pretreated MBC patients.
- Patients received a 12-week lead-in of 100 mg daily cabozantinib.
- Patients with stable disease were randomized to continue cabozantinib or receive placebo; however, randomization was suspended.
Main Results:
- The ORR during the lead-in stage was 13.6%, with a disease control rate of 46.7% at 12 weeks.
- Median PFS for all MBC patients was 4.3 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 11.4 months.
- Common grade 3/4 adverse events included palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia and fatigue; one drug-related death occurred.
Conclusions:
- Cabozantinib monotherapy demonstrated clinical activity in heavily pretreated MBC patients.
- The study supports the potential of cabozantinib as a treatment option for MBC.
- Further research is warranted to optimize its use in this patient population.
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