Evaluation of Apatinib-Related Hypertension and Identification of Clinical Risk Factors

Purpose. Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most common adverse drug reactions to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but little is known about its clinical risk factors. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association between baseline clinical characteristics and the occurrence of HTN in advanced gastric cancer (GC) patients prescribed apatinib, a commonly used VEGF-TKI in China, in a real-world setting. Patients and Methods. Fifty-five GC patients treated with apatinib from December 1st, 2016, to December 1st, 2020, were retrospectively included in electronic medical records. Adverse drug reactions were defined according to the National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate potential clinical risk factors for apatinib-related HTN. Results. The incidence of apatinib-related HTN of all grades was 45.45%, and grade 3 HTN occurred in 16.36% of patients. The median maximal systolic blood pressure (SBP) during apatinib treatment was 153 mm·Hg, and the median time to event was 25 days. New-onset HTN occurred in 10/33 (30.30%) patients. Preexisting HTN (odds ratio [OR]: 4.155; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.252, 13.787; p = 0.020) was the key independent risk factor associated with apatinib-related HTN. Conclusion. The incidence of HTN was high in patients treated with apatinib, and preexisting HTN was an independent risk factor. It is important to provide thorough and close monitoring of patients during treatment with apatinib, especially for those with preexisting HTN. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1900024531.