Multi-Targeted TKIs in Patients with Advanced Ewing Sarcoma: A Systematic Review and Single-Arm Meta-Analysis

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Standard treatment of multiply relapsed Ewing sarcoma remains to be established. Recent studies evaluating tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with anti-angiogenic properties have shown encouraging results. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy and safety of TKIs in patients with Ewing sarcoma. <b>Methods</b>: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for clinical trials (CTs) and cohort studies assessing TKIs in the treatment of advanced Ewing sarcoma patients who received at least one prior line of therapy. The main outcome was objective response rate (ORR). All analyses were conducted using R software (v.4.2.2), employing random effects models with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). <b>Results</b>: We included 14 studies (seven phase II CT and seven retrospective cohorts), comprising 257 patients. The following TKIs were evaluated: cabozantinib, regorafenib, apatinib, anlotinib, sorafenib, lenvatinib, sunitinib, fruquintinib, and imatinib. In a pooled analysis of all Ewing sarcoma patients treated with TKIs, the ORR was 23% (95% CI, 11.2-37.1%) and the DCR was 61.1% (95% CI, 47.3-74.2%). Responses were numerically higher but statistically nonsignificant between clinical trials and real-world studies. The analysis including only single-agent TKIs showed better responses for anlotinib and apatinib, yet these drugs are not available in Western countries. Among the FDA-approved TKIs, superior outcomes were noted with single-agent cabozantinib. (ORR: 21.6%) and regorafenib (ORR: 11.3%). Several studies did not report toxicity data exclusively for Ewing sarcoma patients; thus, conclusions about toxicity are mostly based on the general population of studies and may not be fully representative of Ewing sarcoma patients. <b>Conclusions</b>: Anti-angiogenic TKIs have shown important anti-tumoral activity in patients with Ewing sarcoma. Efficacy was consistently seen in both clinical trials and real-world studies. Nonetheless, there are important differences in study design and population that may limit our interpretation of efficacy and toxicity findings.

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Journal
Cancers
Published
2026-01-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030465
Primary Topic
Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
Type
article
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article

Multi-Targeted TKIs in Patients with Advanced Ewing Sarcoma: A Systematic Review and Single-Arm Meta-Analysis

Maria Inez Dacoregio, Russell Gardner Witt, Isabella Michelon, Jonathan N. Priantti et al.
Cancers
Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
article

Multi-Targeted TKIs in Patients with Advanced Ewing Sarcoma: A Systematic Review and Single-Arm Meta-Analysis

Maria Inez Dacoregio, Russell Gardner Witt, Isabella Michelon, Jonathan N. Priantti, Steven J. Skotnicki and Snir Attia Steven J. Skotnicki and Snir Attia, Caio Ernesto do Rego Castro, Maysa Vilbert, Ana Paula Querino Belluco
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Standard treatment of multiply relapsed Ewing sarcoma remains to be established. Recent studies evaluating tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with anti-angiogenic properties have shown encouraging results. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy and safety of TKIs in patients with Ewing sarcoma. <b>Methods</b>: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for clinical trials (CTs) and cohort studies assessing TKIs in the treatment of advanced Ewing sarcoma patients who received at least one prior line of therapy. The main outcome was objective response rate (ORR). All analyses were conducted using R software (v.4.2.2), employing random effects models with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). <b>Results</b>: We included 14 studies (seven phase II CT and seven retrospective cohorts), comprising 257 patients. The following TKIs were evaluated: cabozantinib, regorafenib, apatinib, anlotinib, sorafenib, lenvatinib, sunitinib, fruquintinib, and imatinib. In a pooled analysis of all Ewing sarcoma patients treated with TKIs, the ORR was 23% (95% CI, 11.2-37.1%) and the DCR was 61.1% (95% CI, 47.3-74.2%). Responses were numerically higher but statistically nonsignificant between clinical trials and real-world studies. The analysis including only single-agent TKIs showed better responses for anlotinib and apatinib, yet these drugs are not available in Western countries. Among the FDA-approved TKIs, superior outcomes were noted with single-agent cabozantinib. (ORR: 21.6%) and regorafenib (ORR: 11.3%). Several studies did not report toxicity data exclusively for Ewing sarcoma patients; thus, conclusions about toxicity are mostly based on the general population of studies and may not be fully representative of Ewing sarcoma patients. <b>Conclusions</b>: Anti-angiogenic TKIs have shown important anti-tumoral activity in patients with Ewing sarcoma. Efficacy was consistently seen in both clinical trials and real-world studies. Nonetheless, there are important differences in study design and population that may limit our interpretation of efficacy and toxicity findings.

CancersVol. 18(3)
Universidade de São Paulo (BR), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR), MetroWest Medical Center (US), Jacksonville College (US), Mayo Clinic in Florida (US), University of Virginia (US), Universidade Federal do Amazonas (BR)
Partnerships for the goals
Openalex Percentile: Top 73%
Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment
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