key papersKey paper
REMORA: lenvatinib in advanced or metastatic thymic carcinoma
In a Japanese trial the multi-kinase inhibitor lenvatinib shrank thymic carcinoma in about four in ten patients whose disease had progressed after platinum chemotherapy, leading to its approval in Japan.
Overview
Multicentre single-arm phase 2 trial of 42 patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic thymic carcinoma previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, given lenvatinib 24 mg daily.
The objective response rate was 38 percent and median progression-free survival 9.3 months. Hypertension and hand-foot syndrome were common and most patients needed dose reductions.
Observational studyChanged practice42 participants184 citations
Authors
Sato J, Satouchi M, Itoh S, et al.
Published
The Lancet Oncology, 2020
Findings
- Objective response rate 38 percent; median progression-free survival 9.3 months.
- Grade 3 hypertension and palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia were frequent and dose reductions were the rule.
What it means
Lenvatinib is one of the few drugs with prospective evidence in thymic carcinoma after chemotherapy, alongside sunitinib and pembrolizumab.
Caveats
- Single-arm, single-country trial; no comparator.
- Toxicity at the 24 mg dose limits use in frail patients.
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Lenvatinib · Lenvima