Cabozantinib Induces Isolated Hyperbilirubinemia in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients carrying the UGT1A1*28 Polymorphism

Clin Genitourin Cancer. 2024 Oct;22(5):102180. doi: 10.1016/j.clgc.2024.102180. Epub 2024 Jul 27.

Abstract

Background: Genetic variants of UGT1A1, involved in glucuronidation and clearance of bilirubin, are associated with reduced bilirubin metabolization and drug-induced isolated hyperbilirubinemia. We studied the impact of the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism on drug-induced isolated hyperbilirubinemia in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with pazopanib, cabozantinib, and axitinib.

Methods: We genotyped the UGT1A1*28 TA6/TA6-TA6/TA7-TA7/TA7 polymorphism and correlated with median baseline, on-treatment and peak bilirubin levels during therapy, incidence of grade-1- or -2 (G1/2)-hyperbilirubinemia and time-to-G1-hyperbilirubinemia.

Results: Of the 66 patients treated with pazopanib, 29 received axitinib and 28 cabozantinib upon progression. Median baseline bilirubin was higher in TA7/TA7-carriers versus TA6/TA6+TA6/TA7-carriers at start of pazopanib (P < .0001), cabozantinib (P < .0001), and axitinib (P = .007). During pazopanib therapy, median bilirubin increased 1.4-fold in TA7/TA7+TA6/TA7-carriers but not in TA6/TA6-carriers. On cabozantinib, bilirubin increased 1.5-fold in TA7/TA7-carriers but not in TA6/TA6+TA6/TA7-carriers. Axitinib did not increase bilirubin in any genotype. Peak bilirubin in TA7/TA7- versus TA6/TA6+TA6/TA7-carriers was higher on pazopanib (P < .0001) or cabozantinib (P < .0001). With pazopanib, G1-hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 57% of TA7/TA7- and 12% of TA6/TA6+TA6/TA7-carriers (P = .0009) and G2-hyperbilirubinemia in 36% and 6% of the patients, respectively (P = .004). On cabozantinib, G1-hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 100% of TA7/TA7- and 5% of TA6/TA6+TA6/TA7-carriers (P < .0001) and G2-hyperbilirubinemia in 33% and 0% of the patients, respectively (P = .04). On axitinib, no correlation between the genotypes and G1/2-hyperbilirubinemia was observed.

Conclusion: We validate the previously described impact of the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism on isolated bilirubin increase on pazopanib. We report for the first time that cabozantinib also interferes with UGT1A1 and causes isolated bilirubin increase.

Keywords: Axitinib; Hepatotoxicity; Pazopanib; Pharmacogenomics; Renal cell carcinoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anilides* / adverse effects
  • Anilides* / therapeutic use
  • Axitinib / administration & dosage
  • Axitinib / adverse effects
  • Axitinib / therapeutic use
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / genetics
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Glucuronosyltransferase* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hyperbilirubinemia* / chemically induced
  • Hyperbilirubinemia* / genetics
  • Indazoles* / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Pyridines* / adverse effects
  • Pyridines* / therapeutic use
  • Pyrimidines* / adverse effects
  • Pyrimidines* / therapeutic use
  • Sulfonamides* / adverse effects
  • Sulfonamides* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • UGT1A1 enzyme
  • Glucuronosyltransferase
  • cabozantinib
  • Pyridines
  • Anilides
  • Sulfonamides
  • Indazoles
  • pazopanib
  • Pyrimidines
  • Axitinib
  • Bilirubin