Dr. Demetri Explains the Side Effects of Regorafenib

George Demetri, MD, Director of the Ludwig Center and Sarcoma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, explains the side effects associated with the oral multikinase inhibitor regorafenib, which targets the KIT and PDGFRA mutations while also blocking angiogenesis through dual VEGF receptor inhibition.

The side effects of regorafenib were assessed in a randomized phase III trial of 199 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) that had developed a resistance to imatinib and sunitinib. Demetri notes that the side effects exhibited by regorafenib were similar to those seen with other multikinase inhibitors, especially those that prevent angiogenesis, such as the agent sunitinib, which is also used to treat GIST.

The two leading side effects associated with regorafenib were hand-foot syndrome and hypertension, which is a common adverse reaction for VEGF blocking agents. In general, Demetri notes that the side effects of regorafenib were similar to those seen with sunitinib and could be managed in the same fashion.