A phase II evaluation of cediranib in the treatment of recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study

• Cediranib is an active multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor in uterine cancer.
• Cediranib for recurrent uterine cancer had a 33% six-month progression free survival.
• Cediranib is a safe and well-tolerated oral treatment for recurrent uterine cancer.

PurposeCediranib is a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors. This phase II study was conducted to assess activity and tolerability of single-agent cediranib in recurrent/persistent endometrial cancer.Patients and methodsEligible patients had recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer after receiving one or two prior cytotoxic regimens, measurable disease, and Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) performance status of ≤ 2 (≤ 1 if two prior cytotoxic regimens given). Cediranib 30 mg orally daily for a 28 day cycle was administered until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity. Microvessel density (MVD) was measured in tumor tissue from initial hysterectomy specimens and correlated with clinical outcome. Primary endpoints were tumor response and surviving progression-free for six months without subsequent therapy (6-month event-free survival [EFS]).ResultsOf 53 patients enrolled, 48 were evaluable for cediranib efficacy and toxicity. Median age was 65.5 years, 52% of patients had received prior radiation, and 73% of patients received only one prior chemotherapy regimen. A partial response was observed in 12.5%. Fourteen patients (29%) had six-month EFS. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.65 months and median overall survival (OS) 12.5 months. No grade 4 or 5 toxicities were observed. A trend towards improved PFS was found in patients whose tumors expressed high MVD.ConclusionCediranib as a monotherapy treatment for recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer is well tolerated and met protocol set objectives for sufficient activity to warrant further investigation. MVD may be a useful biomarker for activity.