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Small molecule multitarget antiangiogenic inhibitor treatments for advanced thymic epithelial tumors: A retrospective
Wanji Shen1,2, Ying Jin2, Ying Yu2,3
1Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Background:
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare malignant tumors with limited treatment options. No established second-line treatment regimen is available following the preferred first-line chemotherapy, resulting in unsatisfactory efficacy and poor prognosis for patients with advanced TETs. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of small molecule multitarget antiangiogenic inhibitors as well as the prognostic factors for advanced TETs.
Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted using data from a real-world database. Clinical information and survival follow-up data were collected from 52 patients with advanced TETs who received small molecule multitarget antiangiogenic inhibitors at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between August 10, 2016 and August 10, 2022. The short-term efficacy of the treatments, survival time of the patients, and relevant prognostic factors of advanced TETs were analyzed.
Results:
Out of the 52 patients included in this study, 16 had thymoma and 36 had thymic carcinoma. The 52 patients had an overall response rate of 21.1% and a disease control rate of 94.2%. In addition, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.05 months, and the overall survival (OS) was 25.00 months. Apatinib was given to 33 patients, anlotinib to 15 patients, and sunitinib or lenvatinib to four patients. Only seven patients received antiangiogenic inhibitors as their first-line therapy, 27 patients as their second-line therapy, and 18 patients as third-line or subsequent therapy. Meanwhile, 42 patients received monotherapy with an antiangiogenesis inhibitor, while 10 patients received combination therapy. Univariate analysis indicated that the combined treatment was associated with a superior OS (p = 0.044); multivariate analysis indicated that the combined treatment was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p = 0.014) and OS (p = 0.012).
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that small molecule multitarget antiangiogenic inhibitors are efficacious as second or post-line treatments as a viable alternative treatment option for patients with advanced TETs.
Insights
Small molecule multitarget antiangiogenic inhibitors show efficacy in treating advanced thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). Combination therapy with these inhibitors improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with advanced TETs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare malignancies with limited therapeutic options.
- Existing first-line chemotherapy for advanced TETs offers unsatisfactory efficacy and prognosis.
- There is a critical need for effective second-line and subsequent treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of small molecule multitarget antiangiogenic inhibitors in advanced TETs.
- To identify prognostic factors influencing patient outcomes in advanced TETs.
- To assess the role of these inhibitors as alternative treatment options.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 52 advanced TET patients treated with small molecule multitarget antiangiogenic inhibitors.
- Data collected from August 2016 to August 2022 at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital.
- Analysis included short-term efficacy, survival times (PFS, OS), and prognostic factors.
Main Results:
- The study included 16 thymoma and 36 thymic carcinoma patients.
- Overall response rate was 21.1%, disease control rate was 94.2%, median PFS was 8.05 months, and median OS was 25.00 months.
- Combination therapy was independently associated with superior OS and PFS.
Conclusions:
- Small molecule multitarget antiangiogenic inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in advanced TETs.
- These inhibitors represent a viable alternative treatment option, particularly as second-line or later therapies.
- Combination therapy shows promise for improving outcomes in advanced TET patients.
