Sorafenib
DrugStep 1 (induction): Sorafenib was giventwice daily for two cycles to all patients. Patients with progression (PD) discontinued treatment. Those who responded after two cycles continued treatment up to 1 year or until PD. With response after 1 year, patients were given the option to continue treatment until PD. Patients who were stable after the end of induction were then randomized onto Step 2 to either continue sorafenib or receive placebo.
Step 2 (randomization): Patients with stable disease after induction will be randomized in a double-blinded manner to placebo or sorafenib. If a patient has progressed, the arm will be unblinded. Patients on placebo with PD can then crossover to receive sorafenib; patients with PD on the sorafenib arm will be removed from the study.
Step 3 (crossover): If patients on placebo progressed within 1 year from randomization, they crossed over to the treatment arm and receive sorafenib for up to 1 year or until PD, unacceptable toxicity, or death.
Other names: Nexavar, BAY 43-9006