Cabometyx Demonstrates PFS Benefit Versus Placebo in GI-NETs

The phase 3 CABINET trial demonstrated that Cabometyx (cabozantinib) significantly improved median progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo in patients with advanced extrapancreatic and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET). In a subgroup analysis of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) NET, Cabometyx significantly prolonged PFS compared with placebo, with median PFS of 8.5 months versus 5.6 months, respectively.

In an interview with CURE, Dr. Jonathan R. Strosberg discussed the outcomes of the CABINET trial which demonstrated efficacy across key clinical subgroups. In the interview, he highlighted the outcomes of the trial which were presented at the meeting as well as highlighted the safety of the investigative treatment regimen.

Strosberg currently serves as a professor at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida, specializing in the management of neuroendocrine malignancies. Read more from him below!

Transcript:

Cabometyx is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor and inhibits certain receptors on the cell surface, so that works mostly on VEGFR, although it does target other receptors, like MET. There is another drug that's been on the market for over a decade called Sutent [sunitinib], which is approved for pancreatic NETs, but there's nothing from this class that's approved for GI-NETs. If approved by the FDA, this will be the first-in-class [treatment option] for patients with progressive GI-NETs.

There are other options, including both liver-directed and systemic options. Those [options] include everolimus as well as Lutathera [Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate], which is a radioligand somatostatin analog. These are typically given after the first-line... For patients with progressive disease, it's just another tool that can help delay time to tumor growth.

[The agent] is probably most similar to Sutent, which belongs to the same class. These drugs can cause high blood pressure. They can slightly increase the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke. They can cause painful rash in the hands and feet, called hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, tiredness is a big one and rarely liver function test abnormalities. Most patients can tolerate the full dose of 60 milligrams [mg]. Some patients require dose reductions to either 40 mg, or in many cases, even 20 mg. The pill is taken once a day.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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