A phase II/III randomized double-blind study of octreotide acetate LAR with axitinib versus octreotide acetate LAR with placebo in patients with advanced G1-G2 NETs of non-pancreatic origin (AXINET trial-GETNE-1107).
Authors: Garcia-Carbonero Rocio , Benavent Marta , Jiménez Fonseca Paula , Castellano Daniel , Alonso Teresa , Teule Alex , Custodio Ana , Tafuto Salvatore , La Casta Munoa Adelaida , Spada Francesca , López-López Carlos , Ibrahim Toni , Villanueva Silva Maria Jose , Iranzo Vega , Garcia-Alfonso Pilar , González Encarnación , Grande Enrique , Crespo Guillermo , Capdevila Jaume 
Published: January 2021

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Background: Angiogenesis plays an important role in NET development and progression. Axitinib is a potent and selective VEGFR-1,2,3 inhibitor, with proven activity against several vascular-dependent solid tumors. The aim of this randomized, double-blind phase II/III study was to assess the efficacy of axitinib in patients with advanced G1-2 extra-pancreatic NETs. Methods: Eligible pts were randomized (1:1) to receive octreotide LAR (30 mg IM q4w) with axitinib (5 mg BID) or placebo BID until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Pteswere stratified by time from diagnosis to study entry ( > or < 12m), primary tumor site (GI tract vs non-GI) and Ki-67 index (< 5% vs > 5%). Prior therapy with SSA, IFN and up to 2 lines of systemic treatment was allowed, but not prior VEGF- or VEGFR-targeted drugs. Clinical and/or radiological disease progression within 12 months prior to study entry was required. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), time to progression, overall response rate (ORR), duration of response, biochemical response and safety. Results: 256 pts were randomized (106 in the Phase II part, and 150 additional pts in the Phase III part), 126 to axitinib and 130 to placebo. The main characteristics of the study population were: median age 61 years (range: 21-85), 52% male, PS 0-1 (64-35%), G1-2 (29%-71%), primary tumor site GI (40%)-Lung (17%)-Other (32%). Prior therapies included: SSA (46%), everolimus (13%), chemotherapy (13%), TACE (5%) and PRRT (2%). ORR was significantly higher in axitinib- vs placebo-treated patients (17.5% vs 3.8%, p = 0.0004). PFS per investigator assessment also favored axitinib vs placebo-treated patients, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (median PFS 17.2 vs 12.3 months, respectively, HR 0.816, p = 0.169). Grade 3-4 treatment-related AEs occurred more frequently in the axitinib vs placebo arm (52% vs 13.8%), and included hypertension (21% vs 6 %), cardiac disorders (3.2% vs 0.7%), diarrhoea (13% vs 1.5 %), asthenia (9% vs 3%) and nausea&vomiting (2% vs 0.7%). There were 3 treatment-related deaths, 1 in the axitinib arm (cardiac failure) and 2 in the placebo arm (myocardial infarction and hepatorenal syndrome). Conclusions: Although the study failed to demonstrate a significant PFS benefit per investigator assessment, axitinib in combination with octreotide LAR demonstrated activity and had a tolerable safety profile in patients with advanced G1-2 extra-pancreatic NETs. Data base cleaning and central blinded radiological PFS assessment are currently ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT01744249.