Sorafenib Plus Tegafur/Uracil (UFUR®) for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Summary
The prognosis for patients with metastatic or locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poor. The role of conventional systemic chemotherapy has been very limited because most chemotherapeutic agents are in-effective and relative toxic to HCC patients who tend to have poor organ function reserves due to liver cirrhosis. The molecular-targeted therapy, which aims at deranged signaling pathways of cancer cells or their microenvironment, holds promise for HCC.
Sorafenib (BAY 43-9006), a novel bi-aryl urea, is a potent inhibitor of VEGFR2 and Raf kinase. The clinical activity of sorafenib in HCC has been tested in a phase II study (Bayer study 10874), which enrolled a total of 137 advanced HCC patients. There were 4% of documented partial response, 5% of minor response, and 55% of stable disease. The 6- month progression -free for the cohort was 40%. Currently, there are two on-going large-scale randomized trials of sorafenib in advanced HCC patients worldwide.
Description
The prognosis for patients with metastatic or locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poor. The role of conventional systemic chemotherapy has been very limited because most chemotherapeutic agents are in-effective and relative toxic to HCC patients who tend to have poor organ function reserves due to liver cirrhosis. The molecular-targeted therapy, which aims at deranged signaling pathways of cancer cells or their microenvironment, holds promise for HCC.
Sorafenib (BAY 43-9006), a novel bi-aryl urea, is a potent inhibitor of VEGFR2 and Raf kinase. The clinical activity of sorafenib in HCC has been tested in a phase II study (Bayer study 10874), which enrolled a total of 137 advanced HCC patients. There were 4% of documented partial response, 5% of minor response, and 55% of stable disease. The 6- month progression -free for the cohort was 40%. Currently, there are two on-going large-scale randomized trials of sorafenib in advanced HCC patients worldwide.In this study proposal, we propose to combine sorafenib with metronomic chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced HCC patients. It has been recently demonstrated that cytotoxic chemotherapy, when given in a low-dose, continuous, and uninterrupted way (i.e. the "metronomic" chemotherapy), inhibits tumor angiogenesis. The anti-angiogenesis effect of metronomic chemotherapy can be potentiated by combining the inhibitors of VEGF/VEGFR pathway. UFUR®, a composite drug composed of tegafur and uracil, is an orally active 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) preparation. The activity of tegafur/uracil in HCC has been tested in two relatively small-scale phase II studies, with objective tumor response rates ranging from 0~18%. Interestingly, tegafur and its metabolites, including γ-hydroxybutyric acid and γ-butyrolactone, have been shown to be potent inhibitors of angiogenesis in several preclinical models. Therefore, tegafur/uracil (UFUR®), which has potential anti-HCC activity and interesting anti-angiogenesis activity, is an ideal candidate drug to improve the efficacy of sorafenib in HCC.
Study Design
Allocation: Non-Randomized, Control: Active Control, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Conditions
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Intervention
Sorafenib, tegafur/uracil (UFUR®)
Location
National Taiwan University Hospital
Taipei
Taiwan
100
Status
Completed
Source
National Taiwan University Hospital
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00464919
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Hepatitis B Virus, Woodchuck
An ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS causing chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in woodchucks. It closely resembles the human hepatitis B virus.
Uracil-dna Glycosidase
An enzyme that catalyzes the HYDROLYSIS of the N-glycosidic bond between sugar phosphate backbone and URACIL residue during DNA synthesis.
Hepatitis B Virus
The type species of the genus ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS which causes human HEPATITIS B and is also apparently a causal agent in human HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA. The Dane particle is an intact hepatitis virion, named after its discoverer. Non-infectious spherical and tubular particles are also seen in the serum.
Alpha-fetoproteins
The first alpha-globulins to appear in mammalian sera during development of the embryo and the dominant serum proteins in early embryonic life. They reappear in the adult serum during certain pathologic states, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma. They may also be elevated in the amniotic fluid and maternal serum during pregnancy in ANENCEPHALY.
Uracil Mustard
Nitrogen mustard derivative of URACIL. It is a alkylating antineoplastic agent that is used in lymphatic malignancies, and causes mainly gastrointestinal and bone marrow damage.
Clinical Trials
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PubMed Articles
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Sorafenib in unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma: a case report.
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Sustained treatment response of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma with bevacizumab and sorafenib.
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