Efficacy and safety of anlotinib in metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND

Metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant tumor lacking effective therapies. We evaluated a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor anlotinib in patients with metastatic ACC.

METHODS

From September 2018 to October 2020, nineteen patients with histologically confirmed metastatic ACC of any primary site were treated with anlotinib 12 mg orally per day at the two-week on/one-week off schedule at a single institution. Disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

RESULTS

The DCR of anlotinib in metastatic ACC was 63.2% (12/19), including 1 partial response and 11 stable disease. After a median follow-up of 11.0 months, median PFS was 10.1 (95% CI: 6.8-14.8) months. Median OS was not reached. The most common AEs included hypertension (n=6, 32%), oral pain (n=6, 32%), hypothyroidism (n=6, 32%), hand-foot skin syndrome (n=5, 26%), proteinuria (n=5, 26%), fatigue (n=4, 21%), and anorexia (n=4, 21%). Grade 3 AEs occurred in two cases (oral pain and hand-foot skin syndrome) and could be managed.

CONCLUSIONS

Anlotinib demonstrated antitumor activity and manageable toxicity in metastatic ACC patients. Thus, metastatic ACC patients could benefit from anlotinib as a palliative targeting therapy.