An Analysis of the Phase III ATLAS Trial in RCC​

Thomas E. Hutson, DO, PharmD, medical oncologist, Texas Oncology—Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, discusses the rationale behind the ATLAS Study, a randomized double-blind phase III study of adjuvant axitinib versus placebo in subjects at high risk of recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Clinical Pearls:

• The trial is currently in progress with over 100 patients enrolled.
• Researchers have seen very promising results with this class of agents in the metastatic setting, allowing patients with metastatic RCC to live years longer.
• Axitinib is the most potent VEGF inhibitor available, but it is the most narrow in terms of off-target effects. This may lead to greater tolerability in patients in the adjuvant setting.
• The hope is to treat patients who are at high risk of recurrence in the adjuvant setting with agents such as axitinib.