The potential role of nintedanib in treating colorectal cancer

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Angiogenesis leads to the growth, progression, and metastases of a variety of solid tumors, including metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), involving particularly the family of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and their receptors (VEGFR). Several anti-angiogenic inhibitors are already registered for mCRC therapy: bevacizumab, aflibercept, ramucirumab, regorafenib. Nintedanib is a new triple angiokinase oral inhibitor that potently blocks the proangiogenic pathways mediated by VEGFR, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR).Areas covered: The current state-of-the-art of anti-angiogenic inhibitors employed in the treatment mCRC patients, and in particular the role of nintedanib in this setting, is reviewed and discussed here. A structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature and of main meetings using a focused review question was undertaken.Expert opinion: In first-line therapy, a phase II...