Correlation between Efficacy and Cardiovascular Adverse Events in Patients with Advanced Solid Cancer Who Received VEGF Pathway Inhibitors: Hypertension within the First Eight Weeks Is Associated with Favorable Outcomes of Patients Treated with VEGF Pathway Inhibitors

Objective Many vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors are used in the treatment of patients with various advanced cancers; however, treatments induce cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs), such as hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmia, arterial or venous embolism, and hemorrhage. Some studies have suggested a correlation between efficacy and CVAEs; however, further evidence is required. This study evaluated real-world data concerning the frequency and degree of CVAEs and possible associations between CVAEs and efficacy in such patients. Methods We analyzed CVAEs observed in 294 patients with advanced cancer who were treated with ramucirumab, regorafenib, pazopanib, sunitinib, or sorafenib. Results CVAEs of any grade and proteinuria within 8 weeks after the initiation of VEGF pathway inhibitors (early) or during the treatment period (total period) were observed in 72-85% and 77-92% of the patients, respectively. The progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with a CVAE of grade ≥1 in the early period was favorable compared with the PFS of those who had no CVAE (median, 4.9 vs. 3.5 months, p=0.016, log-rank test). Furthermore, the PFS of patients with a CVAE grade ≥3 in the early period was favorable compared to that of those with CVAEs of grades 0-2. Taken together, a higher degree of CVAE was correlated with favorable patient outcomes. Conclusion This study revealed the frequency and degree of CVAEs in patients with solid cancers who received VEGF pathway inhibitors in a real-world setting and added evidence regarding the correlation between CVAEs and efficacy of VEGF pathway inhibitors.