Insights into lenvatinib resistance: mechanisms, potential biomarkers, and strategies to enhance sensitivity

AbstractLenvatinib is a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor capable of promoting apoptosis, suppressing angiogenesis, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, and modulating the immune response. In multiple cancer types, lenvatinib has presented manageable safety and is currently approved as an effective first-line therapy. However, with the gradual increase in lenvatinib application, the inevitable progression of resistance to lenvatinib is becoming more prevalent. A series of recent researches have reported the mechanisms underlying the development of lenvatinib resistance in tumor therapy, which are related to the regulation of cell death or proliferation, histological transformation, metabolism, transport processes, and epigenetics. In this review, we aim to outline recent discoveries achieved in terms of the mechanisms and potential predictive biomarkers of lenvatinib resistance as well as to summarize untapped approaches available for improving the therapeutic efficacy of lenvatinib in patients with various types of cancers.Graphical AbstractThis review focuses on current researches on the resistance mechanisms of lenvatinib, describes a series of potential biomarkers, outlines the current application status, and prospects of drugs used in combination with lenvatinib and summarizes ongoing clinical trials involving lenvatinib combination therapy.
Source: Medical Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research