Avastin and Temsirolimus Following Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Failure in Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

Avastin, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody (MAb), inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is one of the most potent and specific proangiogenic factors and has been identified as a crucial regulator of both normal and pathological angiogenesis. Temsirolimus specifically inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase which regulates cell growth and metabolism in response to environmental factors. The combination avastin and temsirolimus has already demonstrated efficacy in the phase I setting

STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The primary endpoint is 4-month PFS. The null and alternative hypotheses are 50% vs. 70%. Assuming 2 ineligible patients, the target sample size is 41 patients (39 eligible patients). The probability of concluding that the treatment is effective was >0.90 if the true rate is at least 70%. The probability of concluding that the treatment is effective was ≤ 0.10 if the true rate was 50% or less. If 24 or more patients are alive and progression-free at 4 months, then this regimen would be considered for further study.