Nintedanib for Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Change of Perspective? Summary of Evidence from a Systematic Review

Abstract

Background/aims: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Results with available therapies are far from being satisfactory and, therefore, current research is focusing on new anticancer drugs to improve the clinical response of these patients. Nintedanib is an oral multiple tyrosine kinases inhibitor, which targets angiogenesis. Considering the current scenario, the aim of this systematic review is to highlight the prevailing knowledge about pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, and safety of Nintedanib for the treatment of advanced EOC.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature, screening all available articles about the treatment of advanced EOC with Nintedanib, including phase I, II, and III trials.

Results: Although in early phase clinical trials, Nintedanib has demonstrated anticancer activity and tolerability as monotherapy or in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel. In the phase III trial AGO-OVAR 12, it obtained a modest improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) as first-line combination therapy for patients with advanced EOC. Interestingly, a PFS increase was observed in patients with non-high progression risk or low tumor burden.

Conclusion: Despite the promising results, further studies are needed to evaluate Nintedanib efficacy in women affected by EOC.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Antiangiogenic drugs; BIBF 1120; Epithelial ovarian cancer; Multi tyrosine kinase inhibitors; Nintedanib.