An alternative titration schedule of axitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

444 Background: Titration of axitinib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is currently based on tolerance with escalation from 10 mg/day to 14 mg/day and then to 20 mg/day. However, not all patients who can be titrated upward require a higher dose for response, nor do all patients tolerate the increased dose levels. An alternative titrating strategy was employed based on radiographic response, tolerance, and using intermediate dosing levels. Methods: In this retrospective analysis of mRCC, axitinib was initiated at 10 mg/day (5 mg BID). Response was assessed with CT scans at 6 weeks after each dosing change. Patients with response by MASS criteria and acceptable toxicity ( grade 2 toxicity the dose was reduced by 1 mg/day. Results: Twenty-eight patients were started on axi...