Tivozanib, marketed as FOTIVDA, is a kinase inhibitor primarily used to treat renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in adult patients who have not responded to previous systemic therapies or have experienced relapsed disease. RCC is a relatively common cancer that predominantly affects adults between the ages of 65 to 74. Tivozanib offers hope as a therapeutic option for individuals with advanced RCC who have not had success with other treatments. It is approved in the United States for those who have undergone two or more systemic therapies for RCC. In the UK and some other countries, it is indicated as the first-line therapy for adults with advanced RCC who have not previously received VEGFR and mTOR pathway inhibitors after their disease has progressed following one prior treatment with cytokine therapy. Tivozanib works by inhibiting growth factor receptors, specifically targeting renal cell carcinoma. In preclinical studies using mice and rats, tivozanib demonstrated its ability to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, slow tumor growth, and reduce vascular permeability. However, it's important to note that tivozanib can often lead to hypertension, which must be managed before initiating therapy. Additionally, while a cardiac QT segment prolongation was reported in a tivozanib cardiac safety study, these reactions were not deemed clinically serious. Furthermore, clinical studies have shown a decrease in serum soluble VEGFR2 (sVEGFR2) levels over time with tivozanib exposure, and sVEGFR2 can serve as a pharmacodynamic marker of VEGFR inhibition.

Tivozanib Pathway References