BIBF 1120 for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Importance of the field: For patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), chemotherapy offers modest benefits and outcomes are poor. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from the pre-existing vasculature, is a fundamental process for tumor growth and development. Tumor vasculature is therefore emerging as an important target for cancer therapy.

Areas covered in this review: This expert review will briefly discuss several antiangiogenic agents approved for the treatment of NSCLC, including many more currently being investigated in clinical trials, such as neutralizing antibodies of pro-angiogenic factors and inhibitors of their tyrosine kinase receptors. This review will also provide an overview of BIBF 1120, a novel, potent, triple angiokinase inhibitor that simultaneously acts on three receptor families involved in blood vessel formation: vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, platelet-derived growth factor receptors and fibroblast growth factor receptors.

What the reader will gain: Expert opinion on the promising results obtained in Phase I studies demonstrating that BIBF 1120 is well tolerated in patients with advanced solid tumors will be provided. Further experience from a Phase II monotherapy trial also indicates promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile in patients with relapsed advanced NSCLC.

Take home message: Based on these data, the BIBF 1120 Phase III clinical development program is currently underway and will be discussed in further detail.

Keywords::

• angiogenesis
• BIBF 1120
• NSCLC
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors
• VEGFR

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank F Halbug of Boehringer Ingelheim for medical input.