Dr. Rini on the Axitinib and Sorafenib Trial VEGF Focus

Lead investigator Brian I. Rini, MD, a staff member in the Department of Solid Tumor Oncology at the Taussig Cancer Institute at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, explains the vascular enthothelial growth factor (VEGF) potency and comparison explored in the AXIS 1032 phase III trial comparing axitinib to sorafenib (both VEGF inhibitors) in the second-line setting for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Dr. Rini says many doctors had a hypothesis that the agents that are more potent and selective against the VEGF receptor family, which is the major therapeutic receptor in kidney cancer, would produce clinical benefits. Up until now, there was no comparative data to support or refute that hypothesis. The AXIS 1032 phase III trial study, by in essence comparing a more potent versus a less potent VEGF inhibitor, provides data to say there is a clinical advantage to that biochemical drug advantage. Dr. Rini adds that other studies with other settings and other drugs are needed to flesh out the story, but the theme is becoming clearer as more clinical data is collected.