Sorafenib: key lessons from over 10 years of experience

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In 2005, sorafenib was the first targeted therapy approved for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), transforming treatment. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for more than a decade, sorafenib remained the only approved systemic therapy to have demonstrated a survival benefit in first-line unresectable HCC. In 2013, sorafenib was the first targeted agent approved for patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) refractory to radioactive iodine treatment.

Areas covered: This review discusses the development, advances, and challenges associated with sorafenib use in RCC, HCC, and DTC over the past decade. A search was performed on PubMed and key congresses as required, with no time limits.

Expert commentary: Sorafenib has had a lasting impact on the therapeutic landscape of RCC, HCC, and DTC, and remains an important treatment option despite a rapidly evolving treatment landscape. Extensive clinical and real-world experience has been invaluable in improving patient management and maximizing benefit from treatment. Ongoing clinical trials continue to evaluate sorafenib in different settings, and in combination with other therapies in HCC and DTC. We have no doubt that sorafenib will continue to be an important treatment option in the coming years.

KEYWORDS:

• Differentiated thyroid cancer
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• renal cell carcinoma
• sorafenib
• anti-angiogenic

Declaration of interest

B. Escudier reports speaker fees for meetings and advisory boards with Novartis, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, EUSA Pharma, Ipsen, and Roche. M.K. reports grants from Chugai, Otsuka, Takeda, Taiho, Sumitomo Dainippon, Daiichi Sankyo, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Eisai, Bayer, AbbVie, Medico’s Hirata, Astellas Pharma, and Bristol-Myers Squibb; advisory board attendance for Kowa, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Bayer, Chugai, Taiho, Eisai, and Ono Pharmaceutical; and honoraria from Ajinomoto, Bayer, Eisai, and Merck Sharp & Dohme. Writing assistance, provided by SuccinctChoice Medical Communications, London, United Kingdom, was utilized in the production of this manuscript and funded by Bayer. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

A peer reviewer for this manuscript discloses being a consultant for Bayer. The other peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Bayer funded editorial assistance for the development of the review and was allowed to review the manuscript for factual correctness, but did not influence the content or decision to publish.