RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effectiveness and safety of sorafenib for renal cell, hepatocellular and thyroid carcinoma: pooled analysis in patients with renal impairment

PURPOSE: Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor with regulatory approval in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors like sorafenib may cause proteinuria. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness and safety of sorafenib in RCC, HCC and DTC patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed integrated data from prospective post-marketing surveillance studies for advanced RCC, HCC and DTC. Background factors considered to affect patients’ prognosis were balanced by propensity score matching using eGFR cut-off values of 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). RESULTS: In the combined matched population (N = 2430), sorafenib was equally effective in patients with lower and higher eGFR values. Sorafenib had an overall response rate (ORR: complete + partial responses) of 18.9% and a disease control rate (DCR: complete + partial responses + stable disease) of 67.0%. There were no significant differences between lower and higher eGFR groups for response rates. Renal function was maintained throughout the 12-month study period in the combined population and in each indication. Adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs were reported in 91.6% and 58.2% of propensity score-matched patients, and with no significant differences between lower and higher eGFR groups. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness and safety of sorafenib were similar in patients with eGFR < 60 and ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) during the 12-month observation period, and without impairing renal function. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00280-022-04428-0.