Axitinib
/api/v1/drug/axitinibMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAAxitinib has been shown to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 at therapeutic plasma concentrations. These receptors are implicated in pathologic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- INLYTA is a kinase inhibitor indicated: • in combination with avelumab, for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). ( 1.1 ) • in combination with pembrolizumab, for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced RCC.
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- None. None.contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDA• INLYTA 5 mg orally twice daily with avelumab 800 mg every 2 weeks. ( 2.1 ) • INLYTA 5 mg orally twice daily with pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks or 400 mg every 6 weeks. ( 2.1 ) • INLYTA as a single agent the starting dose is 5 mg orally twice daily. ( 2.1 ) • Dose adjustments can be made based on individual safety and tolerability. ( 2.2 ) • Administer INLYTA dose approximately 12 hours apart with or without food. ( 2.1 ) • INLYTA should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. ( 2.1 ) • See Full Prescribing Information for dosage modifications for adverse reactions. ( 2.2 ) • If a strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitor is required, decrease the INLYTA dose by approximately half. ( 2.2 ) • For patients with moderate hepatic impairment, decrease the starting dose by approximately half. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosing First-Line Advanced RCC INLYTA in Combination with Avelumab The recommended starting dosage of INLYTA is 5 mg orally taken twice daily (12 hours apart) with or without food in combination with avelumab 800 mg administered as an intravenous infusion over 60 minutes every 2 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. When INLYTA is used in combination with avelumab, dose escalation of INLYTA above the initial 5 mg dose may be considered at intervals of two weeks or longer. Review the Full Prescribing Information for recommended avelumab dosing information.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDA• Hypertension: Hypertension including hypertensive crisis has been observed. Blood pressure should be well-controlled prior to initiating INLYTA. Monitor for hypertension and treat as needed. Withhold and then dose reduce INLYTA or permanently discontinue based on severity of hypertension. ( 5.1 ) • Arterial and Venous Thromboembolic Events: Arterial and venous thrombotic events have been observed and can be fatal. Use with caution in patients who are at increased risk for these events. Permanently discontinue INLYTA if an arterial thromboembolic event occurs during treatment. Withhold INLYTA and then resume at same dose or permanently discontinue based on severity of VTE. ( 5.2 , 5.3 ) • Hemorrhage: Hemorrhagic events, including fatal events, have been reported. INLYTA has not been studied in patients with evidence of untreated brain metastasis or recent active gastrointestinal bleeding and should not be used in those patients. Withhold and then dose reduce INLYTA or discontinue based on severity and persistence of hemorrhage. ( 5.4 ) • Cardiac Failure: Cardiac failure has been observed and can be fatal. Monitor for signs or symptoms of cardiac failure throughout treatment with INLYTA. Management of cardiac failure may require dose reduction, dose interruption or permanent discontinuation of INLYTA. ( 5.5 ) • Gastrointestinal Perforation and Fistula Formation: Gastrointestinal perforation and fistula, including death, have occurred. Use with caution in patients at risk for gastrointestinal perforation or fistula.
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAThe following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling [see Warnings and Precautions (5) ] : • Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Arterial thromboembolic events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Venous thromboembolic events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Cardiac failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Gastrointestinal perforation and fistula formation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Thyroid dysfunction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] • Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] • Proteinuria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] • Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] • Hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥20%) are: INLYTA in combination with avelumab: diarrhea, fatigue, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, mucositis, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, dysphonia, decreased appetite, hypothyroidism, rash, hepatotoxicity, cough, dyspnea, abdominal pain, and headache. ( 6.1 ) INLYTA in combination with pembrolizumab: diarrhea, fatigue/asthenia, hypertension, hepatotoxicity, hypothyroidism, decreased appetite, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, nausea, stomatitis/mucosal inflammation, dysphonia, rash, cough, and constipation.
Use in specific populations
Sourced from openFDALactation: Advise not to breastfeed. ( 8.2 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings in animal studies and its mechanism of action, INLYTA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available human data to inform the drug-associated risk. In developmental toxicity studies, axitinib was teratogenic, embryotoxic and fetotoxic in mice at exposures lower than human exposures at the recommended starting dose (see Data ) . Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. However, the background risk in the United States (U.S.) general population of major birth defects is 2%–4% and of miscarriage is 15%–20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. When INLYTA is used in combination with avelumab or pembrolizumab, refer to the full prescribing information of avelumab or pembrolizumab for pregnancy information. Data Animal Data Oral axitinib administered twice daily to female mice prior to mating and through the first week of pregnancy caused an increase in post-implantation loss at all doses tested (≥15 mg/kg/dose, approximately 10 times the systemic exposure (AUC) in patients at the recommended starting dose).
Pharmacokinetics
Sourced from openFDA- Metabolism
- The population pharmacokinetic analysis pooled data from 17 trials in healthy subjects and patients with cancer. A two-compartment disposition model with first-order absorption and lag-time adequately describes the axitinib concentration-time profile.
Overdosage
Sourced from openFDAThere is no specific treatment for INLYTA overdose. In a controlled clinical study with INLYTA for the treatment of patients with RCC, 1 patient inadvertently received a dose of 20 mg twice daily for 4 days and experienced dizziness (Grade 1). In a clinical dose finding study with INLYTA, subjects who received starting doses of 10 mg twice daily or 20 mg twice daily experienced adverse reactions which included hypertension, seizures associated with hypertension, and fatal hemoptysis. In cases of suspected overdose, INLYTA should be withheld and supportive care instituted.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Jan 27, 2012NDANDA202324Pf Prism Cv
FAERS reports
- 1Death2,63514%
- 2Diarrhoea2,56513%
- 3Fatigue2,10611%
- 4Neoplasm Progression1,3236.9%
- 5Hypertension1,3216.9%
- 6Disease Progression1,2116.3%
- 7Off Label Use1,2006.3%
- 8Nausea1,1425.9%
- 9Decreased Appetite1,0835.6%
- 10Dysphonia1,0095.3%
- 11Blood Pressure Increased8484.4%
- 12Weight Decreased7984.2%
- 13Asthenia7583.9%
- 14Headache6043.1%
- 15Stomatitis5913.1%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Axitinib as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Bayesian Evaluation of Treatment Effect of Avelumab Plus Axitinib for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.Cancer medicine · 2026 · Fukuokaya W, Mori K, Yanagisawa T, et al.PMID 42216439DOI 10.1002/cam4.71999
- Axitinib-Pembrolizumab and Adverse Event Management in Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.JAMA network open · 2026 · Shah NJ, Ababio Y, Eccleston A, et al.PMID 42166160DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.14061
- Complete response in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma following pembrolizumab-axitinib and subsequent nephrectomy: a Case Report.Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · Polito MG, Caruso D, Cosimati A, et al.PMID 42148065DOI 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1811163
- Cardiac adverse events associated with axitinib: A real-world pharmacovigilance study based on the Japanese adverse drug event report database.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026 · Hosohata K, Morioka R, Nakamoto R, et al.PMID 42030026DOI 10.1007/s00520-026-10642-w
- Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Pembrolizumab-Lenvatinib Versus Axitinib-Based Regimens in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association · 2026 · Kobatake K, Goto K, Fujita A, et al.PMID 41981923DOI 10.1111/iju.70461
- The role of delayed cytoreductive nephrectomy following axitinib-toripalimab for the mRCC patient in current immunotherapy era: a case report and literature review.Frontiers in immunology · 2026 · Zhou Q, Wang J, WenJing M, et al.PMID 41890724DOI 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1755688
- Axitinib and Long-Acting Octreotide in Advanced Extrapancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Clinical Trial (AXINET, GETNE 1107).Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2026 · Garcia-Carbonero R, Benavent M, Jimenez-Fonseca P, et al.PMID 41719493DOI 10.1200/JCO-25-01808
- Mechanistic and translational frontiers on "VEGF and TKI inhibitor axitinib": unfolding drug delivery approaches and opportunities in cancer therapy.Expert opinion on drug delivery · 2026 · Sharma D, Prajapati SK, Acharya S, et al.PMID 41714870DOI 10.1080/17425247.2026.2635404
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 236 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Axitinib as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- Adding Biotherapy or Placebo to Standard Treatment for Advanced Kidney CancerRecruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 718 enrolled · SWOG Cancer Research NetworkNCT07383441updated 2026-06-11
- A Study to Evaluate the Bioavailability of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Via Subcutaneous (SC) Injection of Pembrolizumab Formulated With Berahyaluronidase Alfa (MK-5180) [MK-3475A] In Advanced Solid Tumors (MK-3475A-C18)Completed · Phase 1 · Interventional · 142 enrolled · Merck Sharp & Dohme LLCNCT05017012updated 2026-06-05
- PTC-Guided Atorvastatin Plus Axitinib and Toripalimab in Advanced RCCNot yet recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesNCT07630363updated 2026-06-05
- Study of PF-07265807 in Participants With Metastatic Solid Tumors.Terminated · Phase 1 · Interventional · 88 enrolled · PfizerNCT04458259updated 2026-06-04
- Symbiotic-GU-08: A Study to Learn About the Medicine Called PF-08634404 Dosed Alone and in Combination With Other Anticancer Therapies in Adults With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell CancerRecruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 224 enrolled · PfizerNCT07227415updated 2026-06-04
- A Study of INCB099280 in Combination With Axitinib in Adults With Advanced Solid TumorsTerminated · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 5 enrolled · Incyte CorporationNCT05949632updated 2026-06-04
- Axitinib With or Without Anti-OX40 Antibody PF-04518600 in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney CancerActive not recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 62 enrolled · University of Southern CaliforniaNCT03092856updated 2026-06-03
- A Study to Compare Treatments for a Type of Kidney Cancer Called TFE/Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma (tRCC)Active not recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 15 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)NCT03595124updated 2026-05-29
- Study of KN046 in Subjects With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung CancerCompleted · Phase 2 · Interventional · 95 enrolled · Jiangsu Alphamab Biopharmaceuticals Co., LtdNCT05420220updated 2026-05-28
- Phase 2a Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of SCAI-005 Ophthalmic Solution in Subjects With Neovascular Age-related Macular DegenerationNot yet recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 50 enrolled · SCAI TherapeuticsNCT07607561updated 2026-05-26
Frequently asked questions
- How does Axitinib work?
- Axitinib has been shown to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 at therapeutic plasma concentrations. These receptors are implicated in pathologic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression.
- What is Axitinib used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Axitinib carries indications including: INLYTA is a kinase inhibitor indicated: • in combination with avelumab, for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). ( 1.1 ) • in combination with pembrolizumab, for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced RCC.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Axitinib?
- Axitinib is classified as Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Kinase Inhibitor, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Cellular Proliferation Alteration.
- What are the brand names for Axitinib?
- Axitinib is marketed under brand names including Inlyta.
- What are the contraindications for Axitinib?
- Axitinib labeling lists contraindications including: None. None.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
axitinib is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.