Axitinib is a second-generation inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) 1, 2, and 3 that exhibits increased potency in VEGFR inhibition and reduced off-target effects compared with first-generation inhibitors. The phase 3 AXIS trial recently compared axitinib with the VEGFR inhibitor sorafenib in the second-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The trial is the first phase 3 trial to directly compare antiangiogenesis agents in this setting.1
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