2Deparment of Medical Oncology, İstanbul Yeniyuzyil University Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul-Türkiye DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2022.3756 OBJECTIVE
Regorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, is an approved third-line therapy for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). However, its routine clinical application is difficult due to the associated adverse events (AEs) reported by patients in the 1st month, which leads to early discontinuation. In this study, we presented our experiences in toxicities management and the effectiveness of regorafenib in our institutional cancer center.
METHODS
Twenty-two patients treated with regorafenib as a third-line therapy for advanced GISTs were retrospectively
evaluated who had progressive disease after imatinib and sunitinib treatments. All patients
received a full dose of 160 mg/day of regorafenib.
RESULTS
The average age of the patients was 49 years (range: 25-61 years), with a male preponderance (63.6%).
The average follow-up time for the subjects was 114.2 months (16.2-210.3), while the median time of
regorafenib using time was 7.7 months (1.9-29.1). The median overall survival (OS) of the patients was
found as 10 months, while the 1-year OS rate was 38.3%. The median progression-free survival was
found as 7.1 months. Regorafenib-related partial response was observed in 5 patients (22.7%), stable
disease in 9 (40.9%), and progressive disease in 8 (36.4%). The disease control rate was 63.7%. Treatment-
related grade 3/4 AEs were seen in ten (45.4%) patients. The most common AE was hand-foot skin
reaction (5; 18.2%), followed by fatigue (3; 13.6%) and hypertension (2; 9.1%). Dose reductions were
required in 7 patients (31.8%). The treatment was discontinued in a patient due to stroke.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate promising activity and manageable side effects of regorafenib as third-line therapy
of GIST in daily clinical practice in the Turkish population.