Apatinib for the treatment of gastric cancer

Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Aug;10(8):887-92. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2016.1209407. Epub 2016 Jul 15.

Abstract

Introduction: Apatinib, a small-molecule inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, has demonstrated encouraging anti-cancer activity in gastric cancer within both in vitro and in vivo models.

Areas covered: Apatinib's efficacy, tolerability and safety have been evaluated in one Phase II and one Phase III study in metastatic/advanced gastric cancer. In this review, we focus on the mechanism of action of apatinib, its pharmacokinetic profile and its clinical activity in the treatment of advanced/metastatic gastric cancer. Expert commentary: Unfortunately, as yet, there is no definitive biomarker data for apatinib in gastric cancer.

Keywords: Gastric cancer; VEGFR2; angiogenesis; apatinib; chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Pyridines / adverse effects
  • Pyridines / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Stomach Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridines
  • apatinib
  • KDR protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2