Apatinib treatment in extensive metastatic advanced thymic carcinoma
He, Y.; Liu, S.; E, M.; Wang, C.; Shi, M.; Liu, G.; Abiyasi, N.
Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents 32(3): 693-697
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 0393-974X PMID: 29921401 Document Number: 696153
Apatinib is a novel oral, anti-tumor, angiogenic-targeting drug that can selectively target vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). In clinical trials, this new tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has been shown to be an effective and safe treatment for a variety of malignancies. Currently, there is a lack of studies of patients with thymic carcinoma; therefore, we present a case of advanced thymic carcinoma treated with apatinib after chemotherapy failure with multiple lung metastases. This patient has been taking a dose of 500 mg of apatinib per day, and his efficacy has achieved partial response (PR), according to the RECIST 1.1 standard, and progression-free survival (PFS) is 6.3 months at this point. Apatinib will continue as his maintenance treatment. During the treatment, drug-related toxicity and side effects were tolerable. Thus, apatinib may be a meaningful option for the treatment of advanced metastatic thymic carcinoma after chemotherapy failure.