Dr. Msaouel on Rationale for Sitravatinib/Nivolumab Combo in Urothelial Cancer

Pavlos Msaouel, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the rationale for a phase II study (NCT03606174) evaluating sitravatinib in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo) in patients with metastatic or advanced urothelial cancer.

Sitravatinib is an oral TKI that targets the TAM receptors TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK, as well as VEGFR and c-MET, says Msaouel.

Investigators believe that inhibiting these receptors may enhance T cell-mediated antitumorimmune response. In turn, checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab could lead to enhanced activity in patients who progressed on anti—PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, concludes Msaouel.