Relation between Plasma Trough Concentration of Pazopanib and Progression-Free Survival in Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients

Abstract

Background: Pazopanib (PAZ) is an oral angiogenesis inhibitor approved to treat soft tissue sarcoma (STS) but associated with a large interpatient pharmacokinetic (PK) variability and narrow therapeutic index. We aimed to define the specific threshold of PAZ trough concentration (Cmin) associated with better progression-free survival (PFS) in STS patients. Methods: In this observational study, PAZ Cmin was monitored over the treatment course. For the primary endpoint, the 3-month PFS in STS was analyzed with logistic regression. Second, we performed exposure–overall survival (OS) (Cox model plus Kaplan–Meier analysis/log-rank test) and exposure–toxicity analyses. Results: Ninety-five STS patients were eligible for pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) assessment. In the multivariable analysis, PAZ Cmin < 27 mg/L was independently associated with a risk of progression at 3 months (odds ratio (OR) 4.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.47–12.12), p = 0.008). A higher average of PAZ Cmin over the first 3 months was associated with a higher risk of grade 3–4 toxicities according to the NCI-CTCAE version 5.0 (OR 1.07 per 1 mg/L increase, CI95 (1.02–1.13), p = 0.007). Conclusion: PAZ Cmin ≥ 27 mg/L was independently associated with improved 3-month PFS in STS patients. Pharmacokinetically-guided dosing could be helpful to optimize the clinical management of STS patients in daily clinical practice.