Regorafenib (Stivarga)

Regorafenib, sold as Stivarga, is an oral targeted cancer drug known as a multikinase inhibitor. It blocks several enzymes that tumors use to grow new blood vessels and divide. It is FDA-approved for advanced colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and hepatocellular (liver) cancer after standard therapies have stopped working.

Origin

Developed by Bayer and approved by the FDA in 2012 for metastatic colorectal cancer. The chemical name follows the standard "-fenib" suffix used for small-molecule kinase inhibitors; the brand name Stivarga was coined by Bayer for marketing.

Significance in Asbestos Context

Regorafenib has been studied as a later-line option for pleural mesothelioma after first-line platinum/pemetrexed chemotherapy and immunotherapy have failed, though it is not FDA-approved for this use. Small phase II trials (including the RegoMeso study) have shown modest activity in some patients with progressive mesothelioma. For patients with mesothelioma or asbestos-related colorectal cancer who have exhausted standard treatments, regorafenib may appear as an off-label option or as part of a clinical trial, and treatment records showing it was tried are evidence of the seriousness and progression of the disease.

Example Sentence

After his mesothelioma progressed on chemotherapy and immunotherapy, the oncologist discussed enrolling him in a clinical trial of regorafenib as a third-line option.

Related Terms

Multikinase Inhibitor, Targeted Therapy, Mesothelioma, Second-Line Treatment, Clinical Trial, Pemetrexed

Notes

• Ask your oncologist whether regorafenib is being considered on-label (for colorectal, GIST, or liver cancer) or off-label (for mesothelioma), and whether a clinical trial would be more appropriate.
• Side effects can be significant. Hand-foot skin reaction, high blood pressure, fatigue, diarrhea, and liver enzyme elevations are common; ask about dose-reduction strategies and required lab monitoring.
• Keep copies of all prescriptions, infusion or pharmacy records, and progression notes; later-line drugs like regorafenib document treatment failure of prior therapies, which can be relevant to damages and to demonstrating disease severity.
• If cost is a barrier, ask about Bayer's patient assistance program (Stivarga REACH) and foundation copay support. These drugs often exceed $15,000 per month.