On December 15, 2020 The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Research Program (ORP) reported four projects selected to receive funding for clinical evaluation of axitinib (Press release, NCCN, DEC 15, 2020, View Source [SID1234572895]). Axitinib, a small molecule indazole derivative, is an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Receptors 1, 2, and 3. NCCN issued the initial Request for Proposals and convened a Scientific Review Committee from across NCCN Member Institutions to select projects. The studies will receive funding and oversight from Pfizer.
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The following projects were selected:
Phase II Study of Axitinib + Ipilimumab in Advanced Melanoma
Zeynep Eroglu, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center
Single-arm Phase II Study of Axitinib, Avelumab, and Bavituximab in Advanced HCC
David Hsieh, MD, UT Southwestern Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Phase II Study of Axitinib + PD-1 Blockade in Mucosal Melanoma with Adaptive Phase I Escalation in Select Progressors
Alexander Shoushtari, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Phase I-II Study of Hepatic Chemoembolization With Irinotecan-Loaded Drug-Eluting Microspheres (DEBIRI) Plus Axitinib and Hydrochlorquine for Liver-Dominant Metastatic Adenocarcinoma Of The Colon And Rectum
Michael Soulen, MD, Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania
"We’re particularly interested in learning more about the efficacy of axitinib in combination with various other anti-cancer agents, that may exploit its specific pharmacokinetics," said Wui-Jin Koh, MD, Chief Medical Officer, NCCN. "These innovative studies will add to our knowledge base for treating challenging cancer presentations, as part of our ongoing exploration into how to improve patient outcomes. All of the selected researchers should be commended for their meritorious proposals."
The projects are set to begin by August 2021.
The NCCN ORP fosters innovation and knowledge discovery that improves the lives of people with cancer and supports preclinical, translational, clinical research and quality improvement projects in oncology at NCCN Member Institutions. In an effort to improve collaboration in cancer research, the NCCN ORP also maintains a shared resources website and an informed consent database. For more information, visit NCCN.org/orp.