Background: The prognosis of relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma remains poor. Recent reports have stated that molecular targeting agents, including multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors (MTKIs), are effective against adult osteosarcoma. To determine the safety and efficacy of MTKI therapy in children, adolescents and young adults (AYAs), we conducted a retrospective study on adverse events and treatment outcomes.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma who received MTKI therapy at the Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, from December 2013 to May 2021.
Results: The study included 31 patients (15 males and 16 females) who received MTKIs, including sorafenib monotherapy (seven patients), sorafenib and everolimus (14 patients), and regorafenib monotherapy (10 patients). Their median age was 17 years (range: 11-22 years). The incidence of treatment-related grade 3 nonhematological adverse events was 14.3% in the sorafenib monotherapy group, 21.4% in the sorafenib with everolimus group, and 20.0% in the regorafenib monotherapy group. No grade 4 nonhematological adverse events were observed. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 51 days in the sorafenib monotherapy group, 101 days in the sorafenib with everolimus group, and 167 days in the regorafenib monotherapy group.
Conclusion: The safety profile of MTKI therapies in pediatric and AYA patients was comparable to that in adult patients. MTKI therapies, particularly regorafenib, against pediatric relapsed osteosarcoma can suppress tumor growth and prolong PFS with tolerable adverse events.
Keywords: everolimus; multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors; osteosarcoma; regorafenib; sorafenib.
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