Pazopanib-Induced Liver Toxicity in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Effect of UGT1A1 Polymorphism on Pazopanib Dose Reduction, Safety, and Patient Outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Pazopanib can induce liver toxicity in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We assessed the effect of a TA repeat polymorphism in the UGT1A1 (uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1) gene encoding uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 on liver toxicity, dose reductions, and patient outcomes.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Patients with mRCC treated with first-line pazopanib developing liver toxicity underwent genotyping for the UGT1A1 polymorphism. Liver toxicity was assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. Progression-free survival and overall survival were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods.

RESULTS

Of 261 patients, 34 (13%) had developed liver toxicity after a median of 29 days (range, 5-155 days). Grade 4, 3, and 2 alanine aminotransferase or bilirubin had increased in 2 (6%), 17 (50%), and 8 (24%) patients, respectively. The UGT1A1 assessment demonstrated that 18 patients (53%) had TA6/TA7, 7 (21%) had TA7/TA7, and 9 (26%) had wild-type TA6/TA6. The UGT1A1 polymorphism was associated with improved median progression-free survival (TA6/TA6, 5.5 months; TA6/TA7, 34.2 months; TA7/TA7, 22.3 months; unknown UGT1A1 status, 9.2 months; UGT1A1 polymorphisms combined vs. unknown status, P = .021). UGT1A1 polymorphism was associated with improved median overall survival (TA6/TA6, 8.1 months, TA6/TA7 or TA7/TA7 not reached, unknown UGT1A1 status, 16.6 months; UGT1A1 polymorphisms combined vs. unknown status, P = .033). Patients with UGT1A1 polymorphism safely resumed pazopanib at ultra-low doses determined by the degree of liver toxicity and UGT1A1 polymorphism.

CONCLUSIONS

UGT1A1 polymorphisms were associated with improved outcomes, despite pazopanib interruption and dose reductions. UGT1A1 assessment could improve the management of pazopanib-induced liver toxicity in patients with mRCC.