Combination Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Advanced Gastric Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, People's Republic of China, have conducted a study on the efficacy of combining anlotinib, a small molecule vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, with albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-ptx) in treating advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The study found that this combination therapy provided significant efficacy in second-line or above treatment for AGC, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 6.0 months and a median overall survival (OS) of 12.0 months. The objective response rate (ORR) was 42%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 78%. The common adverse reactions included bone marrow suppression, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, proteinuria, and hand-foot syndrome, which were manageable and resolved with appropriate interventions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The combination of anlotinib and nab-ptx showed significant efficacy in second-line or above treatment for AGC, with a median PFS of 6.0 months and a median OS of 12.0 months.
  • The objective response rate (ORR) was 42%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 78%.
  • The common adverse reactions included bone marrow suppression, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, proteinuria, and hand-foot syndrome, which were manageable and resolved with appropriate interventions.
  • Patients who experienced hypertension, proteinuria, and hand-foot syndrome during treatment had better efficacy compared to those who did not experience these adverse events.
  • Mechanistic studies suggest that this regimen likely exerts synergistic anti-tumor effects by activating the immune response through the reduction of regulatory T-cell proportions.
  • The combination of anlotinib and nab-ptx shows promising efficacy with fewer toxicities in AGC treatment.
  • Further research is needed to determine the specific clinical value of this regimen.

Statistics:

  • Median PFS: 6.0 months
  • Median OS: 12.0 months
  • ORR: 42%
  • DCR: 78%
  • Common adverse reactions:

+ Bone marrow suppression: 30.8%

+ Peripheral neuropathy: 25.6%

+ Hypertension: 21.1%

+ Proteinuria: 18.4%

+ Hand-foot syndrome: 15.6%

Sources:

  • Combination of anlotinib and albumin-bound paclitaxel in 2nd line and above treatment of advanced gastric cancer: A retrospective study. World Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2025;16(4):102199.
  • NewsRx. Huazhong University of Science and Technology Reports Findings in Gastric Cancer (Combination of anlotinib and albumin-bound paclitaxel in 2nd line and above treatment of advanced gastric cancer: A retrospective study). Chemicals & Chemistry. May 16, 2025; p 1304.