Previous study reported that patients treated with axitinib as second-line therapy had longer median progression-free survival than those treated with sorafenib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). In this study, we reviewed our experience of axitinib as a first-line therapy for mRCC in Japanese patients, focusing on its efficacy and safety. We retrospectively assessed 26 patients treated with axitinib as a first-line therapy for mRCC from July 2010 to July 2014 at Chiba Cancer Center and Kinki University Hospital. Observation period was 24.6 ± 18.3 months. The objective response rate was 50.0%, and the median progression-free survival was 27.5 months. Overall survival was not estimable. Common grade 3 adverse events were hypertension in 19 patients and proteinuria in 5 patients. Axitinib demonstrated significant efficacy as a first-line therapy in Japanese patients with mRCC. Careful monitoring and management of the adverse effects may help to control its toxicities.
KeywordsAxitinibRenal Cell CarcinomaFirst Line
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