Study on whether withdrawal of axitinib (Inlida) will cause rapid tumor growth

Axitinib (Axitinib) is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that mainly targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)1, 2, 3, for the treatment of advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Its main mechanism of action is to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and reduce tumor nutrient supply, thereby delaying tumor growth. In clinical practice, axitinib is often taken orally twice daily for continuous use to maintain stable blood concentration in the body and ensure efficacy.

Regarding the phenomenon of tumor rebound after drug withdrawal, some studies and clinical observations have shown that short-term withdrawal of axitinib may cause a temporary acceleration of tumor growth. This phenomenon is thought to be related to the release of angiogenesis inhibition: when the drug is stopped, the microvessels in the tumor may quickly become active and re-supply oxygen and nutrients to the tumor, thereby promoting tumor proliferation. However, this so-called "rapid growth" usually occurs in high-risk or advanced patients, and not all patients will experience significant tumor rebound.

Multiple clinical studies have suggested that in order to reduce the risk of tumor acceleration after drug withdrawal, disorderly interruption of axitinib treatment should be avoided as much as possible. For example, dose adjustment or temporary discontinuation is often used to manage adverse effects, such as hypertension, proteinuria, or hand-foot syndrome. During this process, doctors usually closely monitor tumor imaging indicators and hematological indicators. Once the patient's tolerance improves, the original dose can be restored as soon as possible or adjusted to a tolerable dose to maintain the angiogenesis inhibitory effect and reduce the risk of tumor rebound.

Overall, there may be a certain risk of rapid tumor growth after discontinuation of axitinib, but this risk can be effectively controlled through standardized dose adjustment, treatment course management, and regular follow-up. Patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions during medication and should not stop medication at will or adjust the dosage on their own. At the same time, when formulating a drug discontinuation or dose reduction strategy, doctors should comprehensively consider the patient's condition, tumor burden, and adverse reactions to ensure both efficacy and safety, thereby maximizing patient survival and improving quality of life.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/