Mechanism of Action
Lenvatinib is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor that selectively inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4), in addition to other proangiogenic and oncogenic pathway-related RTKs including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1, 2, 3, and 4; the platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor PDGFRα; KIT; and RET. In addition, lenvatinib had selective, direct antiproliferative activity in hepatocellular cell lines dependent on activated FGFR signaling, which is attributed to the inhibition of FGFR signaling by lenvatinib.
In syngeneic mouse tumor models, lenvatinib decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity in combination with an anti- PD-1 monoclonal antibody compared to either treatment alone.
The combination of lenvatinib and everolimus showed increased antiangiogenic and antitumor activity as demonstrated by decreased human endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation, and VEGF signaling in vitro and tumor volume in mouse xenograft models of human renal cell cancer greater than each drug alone.
QT Assessment
A single 32 mg dose of lenvatinib did not prolong the QTc interval based on results from a thorough QT study in healthy subjects.
Clinical Studies
(This information not included in the package insert)