Sequencing and Combination of Systemic Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Synchronous vs. metachronous metastatic disease and its impact on cancer control in the IO-combination era-Real world experiences from a multi-institutional cohort

PURPOSE

The association of metastatic timing (synchronous vs. metachronous) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) with survival outcomes in the immunooncology (IO) combination therapy era is not well understood to date. To assess progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) based on the time to metastasis in mRCC patients treated with IO therapy combination therapies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from a multi-center retrospective German patient cohort was used to compare synchronous metastasis (occurring within 3 months of the initial cancer diagnosis) with metachronous metastasis (4-24 months vs. ≥25 months). PFS and OS were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox multivariable regression analyses were adjusted for baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 381 mRCC patients treated with 1st-line IO-combination therapies, categorized by time of metastatic onset: 167 (44%) in 0-3 months, 94 (25%) in 4 to 24 months, and 120 (31%) in ≥25 months. Differences in initial diagnosis age, ECOG performance status, local kidney treatment, and systemic treatment type were noted (all P < 0.05). Median PFS was 10.6 months for 0 to 3 months, 13.8 months for 4 to 24 months, and 16.8 months for ≥25 months (log-rank test: P = 0.028). Here, ≥25 months group showed significantly prolonged PFS in univariable (HR: 0.63; 95% CI:0.45-0.83) and multivariable Cox regression (HR: 0.64; 95% CI:0.41-0.99). Median OS was 28.0 months for 0 to 3 months, 39.7 months for 4 to 24 months, and 49.3 months for ≥25 months (P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression showed prolonged OS for both 4 to 24 months (HR: 0.45; 95% CI:0.26-0.76) and ≥25 months (HR: 0.56; 95% CI:0.33-0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Within this contemporary cohort of mRCC patients treated with IO-combination therapy, timing of metastatic disease and initiation of systemic treatment was associated with OS.

PATIENT SUMMARY

This study examined the impact of when metastases occur on survival outcomes in kidney cancer patients treated with first-line immune-combination therapies. The findings show that a longer interval before the development of metastases is associated with better outcomes.

Incidence and impact of immune combination therapies adverse events in advanced renal cell carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND

Immune (IO)-combination therapies have revolutionized the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) but are more frequently associated with adverse events (AEs) compared to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) alone. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the incidence and prognostic significance of AEs in patients receiving combination therapies.

METHODS

We included patients treated with nivolumab/ipilimumab (NI), nivolumab/cabozantinib (NC), or pembrolizumab/axitinib (PA) at four Italian oncology centers between November 2023 and June 2024. The impact of AEs on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), overall response, and disease control rate were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression.

RESULTS

AEs occurred in 78.8% of NI, 87.9% of NC, and 92.3% of PA patients. Grade 3-4 AEs were more common in IO-TKI vs. IO-IO combinations (32.9% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.05). Pruritus and pulmonary events were more frequent with IO-IO, while hypertension and mucositis were more common with IO-TKI. High-grade AEs did not impact PFS or OS, but TKI reduction due to AEs was associated with longer OS (p < 0.01). Steroid use also improved OS (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

AEs are common in ICI-based therapies for RCC. While they do not negatively affect survival, their management, especially through dose reductions or steroids, may improve outcomes.

Final Results From a Phase I Trial and Expansion Cohorts of Cabozantinib and Nivolumab Alone or With Ipilimumab for Advanced/Metastatic Genitourinary Tumors

PURPOSE

Cabozantinib and nivolumab (CaboNivo) alone or with ipilimumab (CaboNivoIpi) have shown promising efficacy and safety in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC), metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), and rare genitourinary (GU) tumors in a dose-escalation phase I study. We report the final data analysis of the safety, overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of the phase I patients and seven expansion cohorts.

METHODS

This is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, phase I trial. CaboNivo doublet expansion cohorts included (1) mUC, (2) mRCC, and (3) adenocarcinoma of the bladder/urachal; CaboNivoIpi triplet expansion cohorts included (1) mUC, (2) mRCC, (3) penile cancer, and (4) squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder and other rare GU tumors (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02496208).

RESULTS

The study enrolled 120 patients treated with CaboNivo (n = 64) or CaboNivoIpi (n = 56), with a median follow-up of 49.2 months. In 108 evaluable patients (CaboNivo n = 59; CaboNivoIpi n = 49), the ORR was 38% (complete response rate 11%) and the median duration of response was 20 months. The ORR was 42.4% for mUC, 62.5% for mRCC (n = 16), 85.7% for squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder (n = 7), 44.4% for penile cancer (n = 9), and 50.0% for renal medullary carcinoma (n = 2). Grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 84% of CaboNivo patients and 80% of CaboNivoIpi patients.

CONCLUSION

CaboNivo and CaboNivoIpi demonstrated clinical activity and safety in patients with multiple GU malignancies, especially clear cell RCC, urothelial carcinoma, and rare GU tumors such as squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder, small cell carcinoma of the bladder, adenocarcinoma of the bladder, renal medullary carcinoma, and penile cancer.

Prognostic value of type of prior TKI in pretreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients receiving nivolumab

Aim: To define the prognostic significance of first-line TKI in mRCC patients receiving nivolumab.Materials and methods: A total of 571 mRCC patients who received ≥second line nivolumab were included in this subanalysis. The correlation between prior TKI (sunitinib vs. pazopanib) and overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate, progression-free survival and overall survival were investigated. Additionally, the impact of TKI choice according to the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium prognostic score was examined.Results: There was no significant difference between sunitinib and pazopanib groups in terms of mPFS, mOS, overall response rate and disease control rate. Moreover, no difference between sunitinib and pazopanib was found according to the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium prognostic score.Conclusion: There is no conclusive evidence favoring pazopanib or sunitinib treatment before initiating nivolumab therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients.

Predicting Survival of Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer Treated with VEGFR-TKI-Based Sequential Therapy

(1) Objective: To develop a clinically useful nomogram that may provide a more individualized and accurate estimation of cancer-specific survival (CSS) for patients with clear-cell (CC) metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with nephrectomy and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR-TKI)-based sequential therapy. (2) Methods: A prospectively maintained database of 145 patients with mRCC treated between 2008 and 2018 was analyzed to predict the CSS of patients receiving sunitinib and second- and third-line therapies according to current standards of practice. A nomogram based on four independent clinical predictors (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status, International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium score, the Morphology, Attenuation, Size and Structure criteria and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors response criteria) was calculated. The corresponding 1- to 10-year CSS probabilities were then determined from the nomogram. (3) Results: The median age was 60 years (95% CI 57.9-61.4). The disease was metastatic at diagnosis in 59 (40.7%), and 86 (59.3%) developed metastasis during follow-up. Patients were followed for a median 48 (IQR 72; 95% CI 56-75.7) months after first-line VEGFR-TKI initiation. The concordance probability estimator value for the nomogram is 0.778 ± 0.02 (mean ± SE). (4) Conclusions: A nomogram to predict CSS in patients with CC mRCC that incorporates patient status, clinical risk classification and response criteria to first-line VEGFR-TKI at 3 months is presented. This new tool may be useful to clinicians assessing the risk and prognosis of patients with mRCC.

Sodium levels and immunotherapy efficacy in mRCC patients with bone metastases: sub analysis of Meet-Uro 15 study

BACKGROUND

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) prognosis, although their efficacy in patients with bone metastases (BMs) remains poorly understood. We investigated the prognostic role of natremia in pretreated RCC patients with BMs receiving immunotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study included RCC patients with BMs receiving nivolumab as second-line therapy or beyond. Inclusion criteria involved baseline sodium levels (pre-ICI) and sodium levels after 4 weeks of nivolumab initiation (post-ICI). The population was divided into two groups based on the median value, and response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed.

RESULTS

Among 120 eligible patients, those with pre-treatment sodium levels ≥140 mEq/L showed longer OS (18.7 vs. 12.0 months, p=0.04). Pre-treatment sodium levels ≥140 mEq/L were associated with better OS compared to levels <140 mE/L (18.7 vs. 12.0, p=0.04). Post-treatment sodium levels ≥140 mEq/L were associated with improved PFS (9.6 vs. 3.2 months) and OS (25.1 vs. 8.8 months) (p=0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Patients with consistent sodium levels ≥140 mEq/L at both time points exhibited the best outcomes compared to those with lower values (PFS 11.5 vs. 3.3 months and OS 42.2 vs. 9.0 months, respectively, p<0.01). Disease control rate was significantly higher in the latter group (p<0.01). Multivariate analysis confirmed the prognostic significance of sodium levels.

CONCLUSION

Elevated sodium levels (≥140 mEq/L) pre- and post-ICI treatment correlate with better survival outcomes in mRCC patients with BMs. This finding suggests sodium level assessment as a potential prognostic factor in these patients and warrants further investigation, particularly in combination immunotherapy settings.

Health Care Resource Use for Modern First-Line Treatments in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Importance

Immuno-oncology agents have changed the treatment paradigm for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Such therapies improve survival but can impose considerable health care resource use (HCRU) and associated costs, necessitating their examination.

Objective

To compare HCRU, costs, and clinical outcomes among patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab plus axitinib (P+A) or ipilimumab plus nivolumab (I+N).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used data from an administrative claims database on patients with mRCC receiving first-line P+A or I+N that was initiated between January 2018 and May 2020. Data were analyzed from February 2021 to July 2022.

Exposure

First-line P+A or I+N.

Main Outcome and Measures

HCRU and costs during the first 90 days, full first-line treatment, and full follow-up periods were assessed. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, time on treatment, overall survival, time to first emergency department (ED) visit, and time to first inpatient stay were compared.

Results

Among 507 patients, there were 126 patients receiving P+A (91 male [72.2%]; mean [SD] age, 67.93 [9.66] y) and 381 patients receiving I+N (271 male [71.1%]; mean [SD] age, 66.52 [9.94] years). The median time on treatment was longer for the P+A compared with I+N group (12.4 months [95% CI, 8.40 months to not estimable] vs 4.1 months [95% CI, 3.07 to 5.30 months]; P < .001). The median time to first ED visit was longer for the P+A than I+N group (7.2 months [95% CI 3.9 to 11.1 months ] vs 3.3 months [95% CI, 2.6 to 3.9 months]; P = .005), as was time to first inpatient stay (9.0 months [95% CI 6.5 months to not estimable] vs 5.6 months [95% CI, 3.9 to 7.9 months]; P = .02). During the first 90 days, a lower proportion of the P+A than N+I group had ED visits (43 patients [34.1%] vs 182 patients [47.8%] and inpatient stays (24 patients [19.1%) vs144 patients [37.8%]; P < .001). During full follow-up, mean total adjusted costs were similar for P+A and I+N groups, but adjusted 12-month estimated total costs were higher for P+A than I+N groups ($325 574 vs $ 263 803; P = .03).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, treatment with P+A was associated with longer time on treatment, time to first ED visit, and inpatient stay, while 12-month estimated costs were higher for the P+A group. This is among the first clinical studies to evaluate economic burden associated with modern treatments for mRCC.

International multicenter real-world REGistry for patients with metastatic renAL cell carcinoma - Meet-URO 33 study (REGAL study)

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, different therapeutic options are available for the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Immuno-combinations are the standard first-line therapy in all mRCC patients regardless of the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk category, even though TKI monotherapy is still a therapeutic option in selected patients. However, comparisons between the different first-line treatment strategies are lacking and few real-world data are available in this setting. For this reason, the regimen choice represents an important issue in clinical practice and the optimal treatment sequence remains unclear.

METHODS

The REGAL study is a multicentric prospective observational study enrolling mRCC patients treated with first-line systemic therapy according to clinical practice in a real-world setting. A retrospective cohort of mRCC patients who received first-line systemic therapy from the 1st of January 2021 will also be included. The primary objective is to identify potential prognostic and predictive factors that could help guide the treatment choice; secondary objectives included the assessment of the prognostic performance of the novel prognostic Meet-URO score (IMDC score + neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio + bone metastases) compared with the IMDC score and the comparison between treatment strategies according to response and survival outcomes and toxicity profile.

DISCUSSION

Considering the high number of therapeutic first-line strategies available for mRCC, the identification of clinical prognostic and predictive factors to candidate patients to a preferable systemic therapy is still an unmet clinical need. The Meet-URO 33 study aims to provide a large-scale real-world database on mRCC patients, to identify the clinical predictive and prognostic factors and the different performances between the ICI-based combinations according to response, survival and toxicity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CESC IOV 2023-78.

Impact of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in the Management of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

In this study, we aimed to determine the utility of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in real-world clinical practice and investigate whether CN contributes to improved oncological outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). This retrospective multicenter cohort study enrolled patients with mRCC who received systemic therapy at six institutions between May 2005 and May 2023. The patients were divided into those who did not undergo CN (Group I) and those who underwent CN (Group II). The primary endpoints were oncological outcomes, including cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Altogether, 137 patients with mRCC were included in this study. The median CSS was 14 months in Group I and 32 months in Group II (p < 0.001). Additionally, the median PFS in Groups I and II was 5 and 13 months, respectively (p = 0.006). A multivariate analysis showed that CN was an independent prognostic factor for CSS and PFS. Hence, CN is a potential treatment modality that can improve oncological outcomes in patients with mRCC.

Beyond the knife: strategic patient selection for cytoreductive nephrectomy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To evaluate the current role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) within the context of evolving treatment paradigms, focusing on implications for patient selection.

RECENT FINDINGS

Two randomized trials failed to show significant benefits from CN for intermediate and poor-risk patients undergoing targeted therapy. Despite this, subgroup analysis and retrospective data suggest potential benefits for a subset of good and intermediate-risk patients. Although currently used risk stratification tools guide CN eligibility, they have limitations, including, subjectivity, perioperative variability, and missing validation. Deferred CN may benefit patients responding to systemic treatment, whereas other patients may benefit from upfront CN. Emerging data supports the value of CN with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in selected patients, emphasizing the need for ongoing trials in the ICI era.

SUMMARY

The role and timing of CN in mRCC have evolved across therapeutic eras. Although awaiting prospective evidence in the current era of ICI, CN still has a role in the therapeutic approach for a subset of patients. The decision to recommend CN must be personalized and involve multidisciplinary discussions considering both patient- and tumor-related factors.

The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the targeted therapy and immunological therapy era: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) remains controversial. In addition, several unanswered questions regarding the use of CN remain: Can CN provide survival benefits for patients with mRCC? Where do we place CN in the treatment sequence paradigm among patients with mRCC? How do we best stratify patients with mRCC for CN therapy?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search strategy was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Studies were included only in the English language. The risk of bias assessment was made by using ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions) and RoB 2 (Risk of Bias 2) tools. The expected outcomes were analyzed by meta-analyses with the fixed-effects model or random effects model, including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The measure of effect was the hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% CI, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the reliability of the final results.

RESULTS

A total of 30 studies were included in the qualitative analysis. The HR for OS was 0.55 (95% CI, 0.50-0.61), and PFS was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.66-0.80), favoring CN compared with no CN. The upfront CN plus targeted therapy (TT) group had superior OS (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.51-0.64) compared with the TT alone group. Furthermore, upfront CN plus systemic therapy (ST) was associated with numerically inferior OS compared with ST plus deferred CN in patients with mRCC (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.98-1.74). Finally, the leave-one-out test of sensitivity analysis indicated that the results of this meta-analysis were stable and reliable in the overall HR estimates for these survival outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

First, CN was associated with better survival than no CN in patients with mRCC. Second, the combination of upfront CN and TT may lead to superior survival outcomes compared to TT alone in patients with mRCC. Survival outcomes were similar between the upfront CN+ST group and the ST+deferred CN group in patients with mRCC. Exact patient selection based on baseline prognostic factors is needed to promise maximal survival for patients with mRCC.

The need for kidney biopsy in the management of side effects of target and immunotherapy

Introduction

The introduction of innovative therapies, resulting from revisiting cancer as a disease of the immune system, has changed the scenario of complications. These new classes of drugs, such as targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, assure substantial advantages in cancer therapy, despite some side effects affecting various organs, including the kidney. Histological evaluations of kidney disorders induced by targeted/immunotherapy are limited.

Method

In this study we examined the histological features of patients treated with new cancer agents who underwent a kidney biopsy for new onset kidney failure and/or urinary abnormalities.

Results

The cohort included 30 adult patients. The most frequently administered therapies were immunotherapy (30%), targeted therapy (26.7%), immunotherapy plus targeted therapy (13.3%), immunotherapy plus chemotherapy (13.3%), targeted therapy plus chemotherapy (16.7%). The most common histological finding was tubular interstitial nephritis (30%) that was associated with acute tubular necrosis in 4 cases, and thrombotic microangiopathy (23.3%). After kidney biopsy, 16 of the 30 patients were treated according to the histological diagnosis. Fourteen patients were treated with steroids. One patient with membranous nephropathy was treated with a single dose of rituximab. A patient with severe thrombotic microangiopathy requiring dialysis received a treatment with eculizumab for 3 months. Overall some renal response was obtained in all patients treated with glucocorticoids, while complete kidney response was achieved in the patient treated with rituximab. Cancer treatment was resumed without change in 21 out of 30 patients.

Conclusion

Kidney biopsy is critical for the management of kidney toxicities and should be strongly encouraged for patients showing adverse kidney effects of novel cancer agents.

Development and validation of A CT-based radiomics nomogram for prediction of synchronous distant metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Background

Early identification of synchronous distant metastasis (SDM) in patients with clear cell Renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) can certify the reasonable diagnostic examinations.

Methods

This retrospective study recruited 463 ccRCC patients who were divided into two cohorts (training and internal validation) at a 7:3 ratio. Besides, 115 patients from other hospital were assigned external validation cohort. A radiomics signature was developed based on features by means of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method. Demographics, laboratory variables and CT findings were combined to develop clinical factors model. Integrating radiomics signature and clinical factors model, a radiomics nomogram was developed.

Results

Ten features were used to build radiomics signature, which yielded an area under the curve (AUC) 0.882 in the external validation cohort. By incorporating the clinical independent predictors, the clinical model was developed with AUC of 0.920 in the external validation cohort. Radiomics nomogram (external validation, 0.925) had better performance than clinical factors model or radiomics signature. Decision curve analysis demonstrated the superiority of the radiomics nomogram in terms of clinical usefulness.

Conclusions

The CT-based nomogram could help in predicting SDM status in patients with ccRCC, which might provide assistance for clinicians in making diagnostic examinations.

Long-term Clinical Outcomes of a Spanish Cohort of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients with a Complete Response to Sunitinib

INTRODUCTION

The long-term clinical outcomes of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and a complete response (CR) to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sunitinib are poorly known. The characteristics of these patients could reveal previously undetected associations with clinical variables.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This observational, retrospective study (ATILA) used data from a registry of patients with mRCC who had received first-line sunitinib and had achieved CR from 2007 to 2018 in Spain.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients with CR were included; 48 patients (77.4%) received sunitinib in monotherapy and 14 (22.6%) combined with or followed by local treatment. Median age was 58.5 years (range, 32-81). Most patients (79.0%) had clear cell histology and had undergone previous nephrectomy (90.3%). The majority (70.2%) had an intermediate IMDC prognosis, 23% favorable and 7.0% poor. The median time on treatment with sunitinib was 28.2 months (IQR, 16.7-41.0) and the median time to CR was 10.9 months (IQR, 7.2-19.3). After a median follow-up of 8 years (range, 3-13 years), the median PFS was not reached. The overall median duration of complete response was 64.1 months (IQR, 32.2-99.4). The tolerance and safety profile of sunitinib was consistent with previous reports.

CONCLUSION

Durable CR to sunitinib was observed in patients regardless the prognosis group, metastasis site or histology type, with 75% of patients remaining in CR after 10 years.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov: NCT03916458.

Definitive weekly hypofractionated radiotherapy in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: response rates and outcomes in elderly patients unfit for surgery

INTRODUCTION

The optimal definitive radiotherapy (RT) scheme in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) remains controversial, especially in elderly patients.

METHODS

Data of elderly patients with cSCC lesion(s) treated with weekly hypofractionated RT (8 Gy per week per 7-8 weeks) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (median age 89 years) with 23 cSCC lesions have been identified including nine males (50%) and nine females (50%). The most common tumor localization was the head and neck region (n = 21; 91.3%), and the majority of lesions (n = 15; 65.2%) was stage ≥ III. At diagnosis, pain and bleeding were ascribed in 13 (56.5%) and eight (34.8%) cSCC, respectively. Compliance with weekly hypofractionated RT was excellent. The overall response rate at 12 weeks after treatment was 95.7%. Bleeding and pain relief were achieved in all cases. Severe toxicity was not recorded. The 1-year overall survival was 66.0%. The 1-year progression-free survival was 58.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Weekly hypofractionated RT provides a safe, efficient, and cost-effective treatment in elderly cSCC patients with minimal side effects.

Real-World Treatment with Nivolumab or Cabozantinib for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) in the Veneto Region of Italy: Results of AMOUR Study

Background

Second- or third-line treatment options for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have dramatically changed in the last few years. There are no criteria for the choice between nivolumab and cabozantinib, which both demonstrated overall survival (OS) gain in pivotal trials.

Objective

We conducted an analysis of oncological outcomes in patients treated in the Veneto Region (Italy), studying different sequences of TKI-nivolumab-cabozantinib or TKI-cabozantinib-nivolumab in a publicly funded healthcare system.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective, real-world analysis of all consecutive patients with mRCC treated with nivolumab or cabozantinib in 2017–2018 at 19 Oncology Units in the Veneto Region.

Results

We identified 170 patients, 73 % males, median age 68.4 years. All patients started second-line treatment, 59 % received a third-line therapy. Patients with NLR > 3 had a shorter OS (p < 0.0001). In the second-line treatment, nivolumab was administered to 108 patients (63 %), cabozantinib to 29 (17 %); in the third-line treatment nivolumab was administered to 42 patients (25 %), cabozantinib to 49 (29 %). Median OS and PFS in second line treatment were 28.4 and 6.6 months for nivolumab, 16.8 and 6.6 months for cabozantinib. Median OS and PFS in third-line treatment were 27 and 5.2 months for nivolumab, 16.6 and 7.5 months for cabozantinib. Median OS for nivolumab>cabozantinib sequence versus cabozantinib > nivolumab was 28.8 versus 19.9 months (p = 0.2); median PFS for both the sequences were similar at 5.7 months. A cost effectiveness per month of survival of the two sequences analysis was performed: the cost per month for the nivolumab > cabozantinib sequence was 1738.60whereas the cost for the other one was €1624.80.

Conclusions

In our real-world cohort, most patients received nivolumab as second-line treatment. Outcomes of single drugs are superimposable with those in the published literature. Both the sequences of nivolumab and cabozantinib appear to be viable, effective strategies from an OS and cost-effective perspective.

Assessing PD-L1 status in mRCC treated with first-line immune-based combinations: a meta-analysis

Aims: We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the predictive value of PD-L1 in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients receiving immune-based combinations versus sunitinib monotherapy. Materials & Methods: Outcomes of interest included OS and PFS; HRs and their 95% CIs were extracted. Results: The pooled HR for OS was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.61-0.84) and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68-0.82) in PD-L1-positive and unselected patients, respectively. Similarly, HR for PFS was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.54-0.85) in PD-L1-positive patients and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.50-0.78) in the ITT population, respectively. Conclusion: Slight differences were observed between PD-L1-positive patients and the ITT population, and these findings support the limited role of PD-L1 as predictive biomarkers in this setting.

A Simple-To-Use Nomogram for Predicting Early Death in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study

Background

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is usually considered to have a poor prognosis, which has a high risk of early death (≤3 months). Our aim was to developed a predictive nomogram for early death of mRCC.

Methods

The SEER database was accessed to obtain the related information of 6,005 mRCC patients between 2010 and 2015. They were randomly divided into primary cohort and validation cohort in radio of 7:3. The optimal cut-off point regarding age at diagnosis and tumor size were identified by the X-tile analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to determine significant independent risk factors contributed to early death. A practical nomogram was constructed and then verified by using calibration plots, receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

There were 6,005 patients with mRCC included in the predictive model, where 1,816 patients went through early death (death within ≤3 months of diagnosis), and among them 1,687 patients died of mRCC. Based on 11 significant risk factors, including age, grade, N-stage, histologic type, metastatic sites (bone, lung, liver and brain) and treatments (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy), a practical nomogram was developed. The model's excellent effectiveness, discrimination and clinical practicality were proved by the AUC value, calibration plots and DCA, respectively.

Conclusions

The nomogram may play a major part in distinguishing the early death of mRCC patients, which can assist clinicians in individualized medicine.

CaboPoint: a phase II study of cabozantinib as second-line treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Cabozantinib is an inhibitor of multiple tyrosine kinases, including AXL, MET and VEGF receptors. Here, we describe the rationale and design for the phase II CaboPoint trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03945773), which will evaluate the efficacy and safety of cabozantinib as a second-line treatment in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma whose disease has progressed despite checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Patients will be recruited into two cohorts: prior ipilimumab plus nivolumab (cohort A) or prior checkpoint inhibitor-VEGF-targeted therapy (cohort B). All patients will receive once-daily oral cabozantinib 60 mg for up to 18 months. The primary end point is objective response rate. Secondary end points include overall survival, progression-free survival and safety.

The Role of Circulating Biomarkers in the Oncological Management of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Where Do We Stand Now?

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an increasingly common malignancy that can progress to metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in approximately one-third of RCC patients. The 5-year survival rate for mRCC is abysmally low, and, at the present time, there are sparingly few if any effective treatments. Current surgical and pharmacological treatments can have a long-lasting impact on renal function, as well. Thus, there is a compelling unmet need to discover novel biomarkers and surveillance methods to improve patient outcomes with more targeted therapies earlier in the course of the disease. Circulating biomarkers, such as circulating tumor DNA, noncoding RNA, proteins, extracellular vesicles, or cancer cells themselves potentially represent a minimally invasive tool to fill this gap and accelerate both diagnosis and treatment. Here, we discuss the clinical relevance of different circulating biomarkers in metastatic renal cell carcinoma by clarifying their potential role as novel biomarkers of response or resistance to treatments but also by guiding clinicians in novel therapeutic approaches.

Temporal trends of adverse events and costs of nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus sunitinib in advanced renal cell carcinoma

Aims: To assess grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) and costs of first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NIVO + IPI) versus sunitinib in advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Methods: Individual patient data from the all treated population in the CheckMate 214 trial (NIVO + IPI, n = 547; sunitinib, n = 535) were used to calculate the number of AEs. AE unit costs were obtained from US 2017 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project and inflated to 2020 values. Results: The proportion of patients experiencing grade 3/4 AEs decreased over time. Patients who received NIVO + IPI had lower average per-patient all-cause grade 3/4 AE costs versus sunitinib (12-month: US$15,170 vs US$20,342; 42-month: US$19,096 vs US$27,473). Conclusion: Treatment with NIVO + IPI was associated with lower grade 3/4 AE costs than sunitinib.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing in Multiple Pathologic Types of Renal Cell Carcinoma Revealed Novel Potential Tumor-Specific Markers

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer. Studying the pathogenesis of RCC is particularly important, because it could provide a direct guide for clinical treatment. Given that tumor heterogeneity is probably reflected at the mRNA level, the study of mRNA in RCC may reveal some potential tumor-specific markers, especially single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Methods

We performed an exploratory study on three pathological types of RCC with a small sample size. This study presented clear-cell RCC (ccRCC), type 2 pRCC, and chRCC in a total of 30,263 high-quality single-cell transcriptome information from three pathological types of RCC. In addition, scRNA-seq was performed on normal kidneys. Tumor characteristics were well identified by the comparison between different pathological types of RCC and normal kidneys at the scRNA level.

Results

Some new tumor-specific markers for different pathologic types of RCC, such as SPOCK1, PTGIS, REG1A, CP and SPAG4 were identified and validated. We also discovered that NDUFA4L2 both highly expressed in tumor cells of ccRCC and type 2 pRCC. The presence of two different types of endothelial cells in ccRCC and type 2 pRCC was also identified and verified. An endothelial cell in ccRCC may be associated with fibroblasts and significantly expressed fibroblast markers, such as POSTN and COL3A1. At last, by applying scRNA-seq results, the activation of drug target pathways and sensitivity to drug responses was predicted in different pathological types of RCC.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings considerably enriched the single-cell transcriptomic information for RCC, thereby providing new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of RCC.

Activity of Systemic Treatments After Cabozantinib Failure in Advanced Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cabozantinib, a potent multityrosine kinases inhibitor (TKI), has demonstrated overall survival (OS) benefit over everolimus in patients previously treated with VEGFR TKI for metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC). The efficacy of systemic treatments after cabozantinib failure has not been investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study on patients receiving systemic treatment after cabozantinib failure in heavily pretreated patient with mRCC. We assessed Time to Treatment Failure (TTF), OS and objective response rate (ORR).

RESULTS

Among 150 patients treated with cabozantinib in our institution, 56 (37.3%) received subsequent systemic therapy and were eligible for the analysis. IMDC prognostic group was good, intermediate and poor in 11 (19.6%), 24 (42.9%) and 11 (19.6%) patients, respectively. Cabozantinib was administered mainly as a second (41.1%), or third (33.9%) line treatment. axitinib or immune-checkpoint inhibitors were the subsequent treatment in 18 (34.8%) patients for each everolimus (n:16, 28.6%), other angiogenesis inhibitors (n:4, 7.1%) TTF and OS from subsequent systemic therapy after cabozantinib failure were 2.8 months (95%CI 1.9-3.7) and 7.7 months (95%CI 4.4-10.8), respectively. ORR was 8.7% and 2 patients with axitinib and 2 patients treated with Immune checkpoint inhibitors achieved a partial response.

CONCLUSION

Overall, activity of systemic therapies after cabozantinib was limited.

The prognosis and clinicopathological features of different distant metastases patterns in renal cell carcinoma: analysis based on the SEER database

Existing data on the prognosis and clinicopathological features of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) are limited. This study aims to investigate the prognostic value and clinicopathological features of different metastatic sites in patients with mRCC. A dataset from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database consisting of 18 registries (1973–2015) was selected for a retrospective mRCC cohort study. Information was included on the metastatic sites in lung, bone, liver, and brain. Kaplan–Meier analysis was applied to compare the survival distribution. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze survival outcomes. From the SEER database, a total of 10,410 patients with primary mRCC from 2010 to 2015 were enrolled in this cohort study. Analysis indicated that 54.9%, 37.7%, 19.5%, and 10.4% of patients were found to have lung, bone, liver, and brain metastasis, respectively. There was a significantly higher risk for sarcomatoid RCC patients to develop liver metastasis as compared to patients with clear cell RCC. The median survival for patients with lung, bone, liver, or brain metastasis was 7 months, 7 months, 4 months, and 5 months, respectively. Various clinicopathological features and prognostic values are associated with different metastatic sites. Understanding these differences may enable targeted pre-treatment assessment of primary mRCC and personalized curative intervention for patients.

Interactive Data Visualization Tool for Patient-Centered Decision Making in Kidney Cancer

PURPOSE

Patients and providers often lack clinical decision tools to enable effective shared decision making. This is especially true in the rapidly changing therapeutic landscape of metastatic kidney cancer. Using the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria, a validated risk prediction tool for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, we created and user-tested a novel interactive visualization for clinical use.

METHODS

An interactive visualization depicting IMDC criteria was created, with the final version including data for more than 4,500 patients. Usability testing was performed with nonmedical lay-users and medical oncology fellow physicians. Subjects used the tool to calculate median survival times based on IMDC criteria. User confidence was surveyed. An iterative user feedback implementation cycle was completed and informed revision of the tool.

RESULTS

The tool is available at CloViz-IMDC. Initially, 400 lay-users and 15 physicians completed clinical scenarios and surveys. Cumulative accuracy across scenarios was higher for physicians than lay-users (84% v 74%; P = .03). Eighty-three percent of lay-users and 87% of physicians thought the tool became intuitive with use. Sixty-eight percent of lay-users wanted to use the tool clinically compared with 87% of physicians. After revisions, the updated tool was user-tested with 100 lay-users and 15 physicians. Physicians, but not lay-users, showed significant improvement in accuracy in the updated version of the tool (90% v 67%; P = .008). Seventy-two percent of lay-users and 93% of physicians wanted to use the updated tool in a clinical setting.

CONCLUSION

A graphical method of interacting with a validated nomogram provides prognosis results that can be used by nonmedical lay-users and physicians, and has the potential for expanded use across many clinical conditions.

Prognostic Impact of Membranous/Nuclear Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Localization in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

EGFR is overexpressed in the majority of clear cell renal cell carcinomas (CCRCCs). Although EGFR deregulation was found to be of great significance in CCRCC biology, the EGFR overexpression is not associated with EGFR-targeted therapy responsiveness. Moreover, the prognostic role of EGFR expression remains controversial. In the present study, we evaluated the role played by EGFR overexpression in CCRCC and its prognostic significance associated with different immunohistochemical localization patterns. In our study, the Total Score (TS) related to membranous-cytoplasmic EGFR expression showed a significant correlation with grade, pathologic stage (pT), and Stage, Size, Grade, and Necrosis (SSIGN) score, and a negative correlation with nuclear EGFR expression. No significant correlations were shown between nuclear EGFR and clinic-pathological features. Additionally, a correlation between SGLT1 expression levels and pT was described. Multivariate analysis identifies pT and SSIGN score as independent prognostic factors for CCRCC. A significantly increased survival rate was found in the case of positive expression of nuclear EGFR and SGLT1. Based on our findings, SGLT1 and nuclear EGFR overexpression defines a subgroup of CCRCC patients with good prognosis. Membranous-cytoplasmic EGFR expression was shown to be a poor prognostic factor and could define a CCRCC subgroup with poor prognosis that should be responsive to anti-EGFR therapies.

Median time to progression with TKI-based therapy after failure of immuno-oncology therapy in metastatic kidney cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-based therapy after previous immuno-oncology therapy (IO) failure has been addressed before. However, summary efficacy estimates have never been generated in these reports. We addressed this void.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We systematically examined TKI efficacy after IO-failure and generated weighted median progression-free survival (PFS) estimates for Pazopanib, Axitinib, Cabozantinib, Sunitinib. A systematic review according to PRISMA was conducted. PubMed and abstracts were queried. Only studies proving median PFS were included. Weighted medians were computed for each TKI alternative.

RESULTS

Of 245 articles, nine eligible studies were included in the current study with 952 analysed patients. Weighted PFS medians after any previous IO-based therapy were respectively 13.7 (range from 4.6 to 24.4), 8.1 (range from 4.7 to 13.2), 8.5 (range from 4.7 to 15.2) and 6.9 months (range from 2.9 to 11.6) for Pazopanib, Axitinib, Cabozantinib, Sunitinib. Specific second-line weighted PFS median was 14.8 months (range from 5.6 to 24.4), 10.1 months (range from 6.4 to 13.2), 8.7 months (range from 4.7 to 15.2) and 6.0 months (range from 2.9 to 8.0) for Pazopanib, Axitinib, Cabozantinib, Sunitinib, respectively, after first-line IO.

CONCLUSION

Pazopanib results in the longest weighted median PFS, after previous IO-failure, regardless of treatment line, as well as in specific second-line, post-first-line IO failure settings. Pending novel studies, Pazopanib appears to represent the most promising treatment option after prior IO.

Current Imaging Evaluation of Tumor Response to Advanced Medical Treatment in Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma: Clinical Implications

The present review is focused on the role of diagnostic tomographic imaging such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to assess and predict tumor response to advanced medical treatments in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. In this regard, antiangiogenic agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have developed as advanced treatment options replacing the conventional therapy based on interferon-alpha and interleuchin-2 which had unfavorable toxicity profile and low response rates. In clinical practice, the imaging evaluation of treatment response in cancer patients is based on dimensional changes of tumor lesions in sequential scans; in particular, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) have been defined for this purpose and also applied in patients with metastatic RCC. However, these new drugs with predominant cytostatic effect make RECIST insufficient to realize an adequate response imaging evaluation. Therefore, new imaging criteria (mCHOI and iRECIST) have been proposed to assess tumor response to advanced medical treatments of metastatic RCC, they correlate better than RECIST with the progression-free survival and overall survival. Finally, a potential role of radiomics and machine learning models has been suggested to predict tumor response.

What is next in second- and later-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma? review of the recent literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The current treatment landscape of metastatic renal cell carcinoma has changed dramatically from the dominance of single-agent tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy to immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based combinations in recent years. However, the optimal subsequent therapy remains ill-defined owing to the novelty of this approach.

RECENT FINDINGS

Treatment with TKIs after failure of single or dual ICI therapies may result in robust clinical efficacy. Nonetheless, there is a trend toward lower efficacy of TKIs after previous ICI-TKI combination therapy. Currently, tivozanib is the only drug whose third- and later-line use after failure of TKI and ICI is supported by evidence, with significantly longer progression-free survival and higher objective response rates than sorafenib. Data from retrospective studies highlight the safety and clinical activity of ICI rechallenge.

SUMMARY

Overall, the level of evidence remains low. Treatment after failure of dual ICI therapy is not well defined and may consist of any available TKI. Although first-line use of TKI is less common, strong evidence suggests cabozantinib or nivolumab as standard options in that setting. The recommendations after first-line TKI-ICI therapy failure mirror this recommendation, although the data are less robust.

Inflammatory indices and clinical factors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with nivolumab: the development of a novel prognostic score (Meet-URO 15 study)

BACKGROUND

Despite the survival advantage, not all metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients achieve a long-term benefit from immunotherapy. Moreover, the identification of prognostic biomarkers is still an unmet clinical need.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study investigated the prognostic role of peripheral-blood inflammatory indices and clinical factors to develop a novel prognostic score in mRCC patients receiving at least second-line nivolumab. The complete blood count before the first cycle of therapy was assessed by calculating neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR (dNLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI). Clinical factors included pre-treatment International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) score, line of therapy, and metastatic sites.

RESULTS

From October 2015 to November 2019, 571 mRCC patients received nivolumab as second- and further-line treatment in 69% and 31% of cases. In univariable and multivariable analyses all inflammatory indices, IMDC score, and bone metastases significantly correlated with overall survival (OS). The multivariable model with NLR, IMDC score, and bone metastases had the highest c-index (0.697) and was chosen for the developing of the score (Schneeweiss scoring system). After internal validation (bootstrap re-sampling), the final index (Meet-URO score) composed by NLR, IMDC score, and bone metastases had a c-index of 0.691. It identified five categories with distinctive OSs: group 1 (median OS - mOS = not reached), group 2 (mOS = 43.9 months), group 3 (mOS = 22.4 months), group 4 (mOS = 10.3 months), and group 5 (mOS = 3.2 months). Moreover, the Meet-URO score allowed for a fine risk-stratification across all three IMDC groups.

CONCLUSION

The Meet-URO score allowed for the accurate stratification of pretreated mRCC patients receiving nivolumab and is easily applicable for clinical practice at no additional cost. Future steps include its external validation, the assessment of its predictivity, and its application to first-line combinations.

Preclinical activity of cobimetinib alone or in combination with chemotherapy and targeted therapies in renal cell carcinoma

Background: The poor outcome of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) necessitates new treatments. Cobimetinib is a MEK inhibitor and approved for the treatment of melanoma. This work investigated the efficacy of cobimetinib alone and in combination with anti-RCC drugs. Methods: Proliferation and apoptosis assays were performed, and combination index was analyzed on RCC cell lines (CaKi-2, 786-O, A-704, ACHN and A489) and xenograft models. Immunoblotting analysis was conducted to investigate the MAPK pathway. Results: Cobimetinib was active against RCC cells, with IC₅₀ at 0.006-0.8μM, and acted synergistically with standard-of-care therapy. Cobimetinib at nontoxic doses prevented tumor formation, inhibited tumor growth and enhanced efficacy of 5-fluorouracil, sorafenib and sunitinib via suppressing Raf/MEK/ERK, leading to MAPK pathway inhibition. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the potent anti-RCC activity of cobimetinib and its synergism with RCC standard-of-care drugs, and confirm the underlying mechanism of the action of cobimetinib.

Meta-Analysis of ABCG2 and ABCB1 Polymorphisms With Sunitinib-Induced Toxicity and Efficacy in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background: ABCG2 and ABCB1 are genes related to the pharmacokinetics of sunitinib and have been associated with its toxicity and efficacy. However, the results have been controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of ABCG2 and ABCB1 polymorphisms with sunitinib-induced toxicity and efficacy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies investigating the associations of the ABCG2 rs2231142 polymorphism with sunitinib-induced toxicity and the associations of the ABCB1 rs1128503 and ABCB1 rs2032582 polymorphisms with sunitinib-induced toxicity and clinical outcomes. The associations were evaluated by effect size (ES) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Eight and five studies were included in the toxicity and efficacy analysis, respectively, including a total of 1081 RCC patients. The ABCG2 rs2231142 A allele was associated with an increased risk of sunitinib-induced thrombocytopenia and hand-foot syndrome (HFS) in Asians (ES = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.15-2.36, p = 0.006; ES = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.02-2.27, p = 0.041). However, the ABCG2 rs2231142 polymorphism was not associated with sunitinib-induced hypertension or neutropenia (ES = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.69-1.73, p = 0.701; ES = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.57-1.31, p = 0.501). Compared with the C allele, the ABCB1 rs1128503 T allele was associated with a decreased risk of sunitinib-induced hypertension but worse progression-free survival (PFS) (ES = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.26-0.77, p = 0.004; ES = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07-1.73, p = 0.011). There was no significant association between the T allele or C allele of ABCB1 rs1128503 and overall survival (OS) (ES = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.61-1.10, p = 0.184). The ABCB1 rs2032582 T allele was associated with worse PFS than the other alleles (ES = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.14-1.87, p = 0.003), while there was no significant association between the T allele or other alleles and sunitinib-induced hypertension, HFS, or OS (ES = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.46-1.29, p = 0.326; ES = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.65-1.62, p = 0.919; ES = 1.32, 95% CI = 0.85-2.05, p = 0.215). Conclusion: The results indicate that the ABCG2 rs2231142 polymorphism may serve as a predictor of sunitinib-induced thrombocytopenia and HFS in Asians, while the ABCB1 rs1128503 polymorphism may serve as a predictor of sunitinib-induced hypertension, and both the ABCB1 rs1128503 and rs2032582 polymorphisms may serve as predictors of PFS in RCC. These results suggest a possible application of individualized use of sunitinib according to the genetic background of patients.

The Effect of Concomitant Proton Pump Inhibitor and Cabozantinib on the Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Cabozantinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Cabozantinib is a weak base that exhibits a pH-dependent solubility profile in vitro which raises concerns about its bioavailability in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PPI use has an impact on the efficacy, safety, and residual concentration (Ctrough) of cabozantinib in patients with mRCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective review of a prospectively collected electronic database of patients with mRCC who received cabozantinib at Gustave Roussy between February 2014 and December 2018. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and the Cox proportional-hazard model for uni- and multivariate analysis. In parallel, we conducted a pharmacokinetic study of cabozantinib in a distinct cohort of 50 mRCC patients, in which cabozantinib Ctrough was assayed using a validated tandem mass spectrometry-liquid chromatography method.

RESULTS

We identified 99 patients treated with cabozantinib, including 43 patients being PPI users. With a median follow-up of 30.3 months, PPI users showed similar progression-free survival and overall survival outcomes compared with PPI nonusers. Similarly, the incidence of adverse events was not significantly different between the PPI users and nonusers, although PPI users required dose reductions more often. In the independent pharmacokinetic cohort, of whom 21 received PPI concomitantly, Ctrough was similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

In line with the pharmacologic data, the concomitant use of PPI does not significantly impact the efficacy or safety of cabozantinib in patients with mRCC.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Drug interactions, especially between targeted therapies and proton pump inhibitors (PPI), were shown to potentially impact the outcomes of cancer patients. Cabozantinib, a current therapeutic standard in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), exhibits a pH-dependent solubility profile, which raises concerns about its bioavailability in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI). At the present time, there is no evidence regarding the effect of PPIs on cabozantinib's efficacy and safety in patients with mRCC. This study found that the concomitant use of PPI during cabozantinib treatment in mRCC patients does not appear to impact the residual concentration, efficacy, and safety of cabozantinib in a real-life context.

Prognosis of Incidental Brain Metastases in Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) management guidelines recommend brain imaging if clinically indicated and the rate of occult central nervous system (CNS) metastasis is not well-defined. Early detection could have major therapeutic implications, because timely interventions may limit morbidity and mortality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed to characterize patients with mRCC incidentally diagnosed with asymptomatic brain metastases during screening for clinical trial participation at Gustave Roussy and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Descriptive statistics and time-to-event methods were used to evaluate the cohort.

RESULTS

Across 68 clinical trials conducted between 2001 and 2019 with a median 14.1-month follow-up, 72 of 1,689 patients (4.3%) with mRCC harbored occult brain metastases. The International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk status was favorable (26%), intermediate (61%), and poor (13%), and 86% of patients had ≥2 extracranial sites of disease, including lung metastases in 92% of patients. CNS involvement was multifocal in 38.5% of patients, and the largest brain metastasis was >1 cm in diameter in 40% of the cohort. Localized brain-directed therapy was pursued in 93% of patients, predominantly radiotherapy. Median overall survival was 10.3 months (range, 7.0-17.9 months), and the 1-year overall survival probability was 48% (95% CI, 37%-62%). IMDC risk and number or size of lesions did not correlate with survival (log-rank, P=.3, P=.25, and P=.067, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This large multi-institutional mRCC cohort study identified occult brain metastasis in a notable proportion of patients (4.3%) and highlights that the risk of asymptomatic CNS involvement extends to those with favorable risk features per IMDC risk assessment. These data provide rationale for brain screening in patients with advanced RCC.

Outcomes of systemic targeted therapy in recurrent renal cell carcinoma treated with adjuvant sunitinib

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of rechallenge with sunitinib and other targeted therapies (TTs) in patitents with relapsed recurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the advanced setting.

METHODS

In this multi-institutional retrospective study, patients with relapsed RCC were rechallenged with sunitinib or other systemic TTs as a first-line therapeutic approach after failed adjuvant sunitinib treatment. Patient characteristics, treatments and clinical outcomes were recorded. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients with relapses were recorded, and 25 of these (73.5%) were men. Twenty-five patients were treated with systemic TT: 65% of patients received TT against the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway (including sunitinib), 21.7% received mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and 13% received immunotherapy. The median (interquartile range) time to relapse was 20.3 (5.2-20.4) months from diagnosis, and 7.5 months (1.0-8.5) from the end of adjuvant suntinib treatment. At a median follow-up of 23.5 months, 24 of the 25 patients had progressed on first-line systemic therapy. The median PFS was 12.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.78-18.2). There were no statistical differences in PFS between different treatments or sunitinib rechallenge. PFS was not statistically different in patients relapsing on or after adjuvant suntinib treatment (≤ 6 or >6 months after adjuvant suntinib ending). The ORR was 20.5%. The median OS was 29.1 months (95% CI 16.4-41.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Rechallenge with sunitinib or other systemic therapies is still a feasible therapeutic option that provides patients with advanced or metastastic RCC with additional clinical benefits with regard to PFS and OS after failed response to adjuvant sunitinib.

The impact of sex and age on distribution of metastases in patients with renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Our objective was to investigate age and sex-related discrepancies on distribution of metastases in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODS

Within the National Inpatient Sample database (2008-2015) we identified 9607 patients with metastatic RCC. Trend test and Chi-square test analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between age and site of metastases, according to sex.

RESULTS

Of 9607 patients with metastatic RCC, 6344 (65.9%) were men and 3263 (34.1%) were women. Thoracic, abdominal, bone and brain metastases were present in 51.1 vs. 52.8%, 42.6 vs. 44.3%, 29.9 vs. 29.2% and 8.6 vs. 8.8% of men vs. women, respectively. Increasing age was associated with decreasing rates of thoracic (from 55.5 to 48.5%) and brain (from 8.6 to 5.8%) metastases in men and with decreasing rates of abdominal (from 48.3 to 39.6%), bone (from 32.6 to 24.9%) and brain (from 8.8 to 5.4%) metastases in women. (all p < 0.05). Rates of concomitant metastatic sites also decreased with increasing age, from 57.1 to 50.8% in men and from 54.1 to 50.2% in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Important age and sex-related differences exist in the distribution of RCC metastases. The distribution of metastases is marginally different between sexes. Specifically, more advanced age is associated with lower rates of thoracic and brain metastases in men and with lower rates of abdominal, bone and brain metastases in women. Age and sex should be take into consideration into the staging management strategy, as well as into the follow-up strategy of patients with metastatic RCC.

Impact of cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with primary metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving systemic tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy: A multicenter retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

To compare overall survival between patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated by cytoreductive nephrectomy and those not treated by cytoreductive nephrectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 278 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors between January 2008 and November 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: a cytoreductive nephrectomy group (immediate or deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy) and a group who received systemic tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies alone without cytoreductive nephrectomy (control group). Overall survival comparisons were made in all patients in the control versus the cytoreductive nephrectomy group, the control versus the immediate cytoreductive nephrectomy group, the control versus the deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy group, and the deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy versus the immediate cytoreductive nephrectomy group. Analyses were weighted using the propensity score-based inverse probability of treatment weighting method to adjust for group imbalances.

RESULTS

The median (range) age of the patients was 65 (59-73) years. Of the 278 patients, 132 and 146 were in the control group and the cytoreductive nephrectomy (immediate, n = 107 and deferred, n = 39) group, respectively. A significant difference was noted between the control and cytoreductive nephrectomy groups in age, clinical stage, International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium risk factors, and the number of metastatic sites. Inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted Cox regression analysis showed a significant difference in overall survival between the control and the cytoreductive nephrectomy groups and between the control and the immediate or deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy groups. However, there was no significant difference in overall survival between the immediate and the deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy are more likely to have longer overall survival than those who receive tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy only.

Identification of international metastatic renal cell carcinoma database consortium (IMDC) intermediate-risk subgroups in patients with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Majority of patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) at first line (1L) treatment are classified in the intermediate-risk (IR) subgroup according to International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) score. As these patients have different prognosis, the aim of this study is to better characterize IR patients in order to better tailor the treatment. Retrospective analysis was performed from IGReCC (Institut Gustave Roussy Renal Cell Carcinoma) database. Overall survival (OS) was defined from start of 1L therapy to death or last follow-up. A multivariable Cox model with backward selection procedure (α = 0.01) and a Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis were performed to identify which prognostic factors were associated to OS in IR patients.

From 2005 to 2017, 777 patients with ccRCC were treated with an anti-VEGF 1L therapy. Among 571 evaluable patients for IMDC score, 290 (51%) were classified as IR. With median follow-up 5.8 years (min: 0, max: 12.4) 212 deaths (73%) were observed and median OS was 25 months. Only platelet count was significantly associated to OS (hazard ratio 1.88 [95% CI 1.27–2.88] p = 0.0017). Median OS for patients with PLT > UNL was 18 months [95% CI 12–23] versus 29 months [95% CI 21.4–35.7] for patients with normal PLT count. The selection of PLT count was confirmed on bootstrap samples and was also selected for the first split of the CART-tree analysis.

Patients in the IR group have a heterogeneous prognosis. Elevated PLT count seems identifies a subgroup of patients with poor outcome in the IMDC intermediate-risk population with ccRCC.

Real-world evidence of cabozantinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Results from the CABOREAL Early Access Program

BACKGROUND

Real-world data on cabozantinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is limited. This study (CABOREAL) reports treatment patterns and outcomes for patients treated with cabozantinib through the French Early Access Program.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This multicentre (n = 26), observational, retrospective study enrolled patients with mRCC who had received ≥1 dose of cabozantinib. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method; subgroups were compared using the log-rank test. A multiple Cox regression model assessed predictive factors of OS after cabozantinib initiation.

RESULTS

Four hundred and ten recruited patients started treatment between September 2016 and February 2018: the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status ≥2, 39.3%; poor International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk, 31.7%; 0-1, 2 and ≥3 previous treatment lines, 25.3%, 33.4% and 41.2%, respectively; bone metastases, 55.9%; brain metastases, 16.8%. Median (min-max) follow-up was 14.4 (0-30) months. Overall, 57.0% of patients had a dose reduction, 15.6% an alternative dose schedule. The median average daily dose was 40.0 mg. Median (quartile [Q]1-Q3) treatment duration was 7.6 (0.1-29.1) months, median OS was 14.4 months, and the 12-month OS rate was 56.5% (95% confidence interval: 51.5-61.2). Most patients (54.4%) received subsequent treatment. Predictive factors associated with longer OS were body mass index ≥25 kg/m² (p = 0.0021), prior nephrectomy (p = 0.0109), favourable or intermediate IMDC risk (p < 0.0001) and cabozantinib initiation at 60 mg/day (p = 0.0486).

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest real-world study to date, cabozantinib was effective in unselected, heavily pretreated patients with mRCC. Initiation at 60 mg/day was associated with improved outcomes. CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT03744585.

Phase I Study of Cabozantinib and Nivolumab Alone or With Ipilimumab for Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma and Other Genitourinary Tumors

PURPOSE

We assessed the safety and efficacy of cabozantinib and nivolumab (CaboNivo) and CaboNivo plus ipilimumab (CaboNivoIpi) in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) and other genitourinary (GU) malignances.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients received escalating doses of CaboNivo or CaboNivoIpi. The primary objective was to establish a recommended phase II dose (RP2D). Secondary objectives included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DoR), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients were enrolled at eight dose levels with a median follow-up time of 44.6 months; data cutoff was January 20, 2020. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 75% and 87% of patients treated with CaboNivo and CaboNivoIpi, respectively, and included fatigue (17% and 10%, respectively), diarrhea (4% and 7%, respectively), and hypertension (21% and 10%, respectively); grade 3 or 4 immune-related AEs included hepatitis (0% and 13%, respectively) and colitis (0% and 7%, respectively). The RP2D was cabozantinib 40 mg/d plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg for CaboNivo and cabozantinib 40 mg/d, nivolumab 3 mg/kg, and ipilimumab 1 mg/kg for CaboNivoIpi. ORR was 30.6% (95% CI, 20.0% to 47.5%) for all patients and 38.5% (95% CI, 13.9% to 68.4%) for patients with mUC. Median DoR was 21.0 months (95% CI, 5.4 to 24.1 months) for all patients and not reached for patients with mUC. Median PFS was 5.1 months (95% CI, 3.5 to 6.9 months) for all patients and 12.8 months (95% CI, 1.8 to 24.1 months) for patients with mUC. Median OS was 12.6 months (95% CI, 6.9 to 18.8 months) for all patients and 25.4 months (95% CI, 5.7 to 41.6 months) for patients with mUC.

CONCLUSION

CaboNivo and CaboNivoIpi demonstrated manageable toxicities with durable responses and encouraging survival in patients with mUC and other GU tumors. Multiple phase II and III trials are ongoing for these combinations.

TiNivo: safety and efficacy of tivozanib-nivolumab combination therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Treatment with tivozanib, a highly selective and potent vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated single-agent efficacy in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) along with minimal off-target toxicities and a favorable adverse event (AE) profile. We report final results from TiNivo, a phase Ib/II study of tivozanib combined with nivolumab.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In phase Ib, patients with metastatic RCC received tivozanib 1.0 mg once daily (QD) for 21 days followed by 7 days off treatment (n = 3) or tivozanib 1.5 mg QD (n = 3) plus nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks. The maximum tolerated dose was determined to be tivozanib 1.5 mg, and 22 additional patients were enrolled at the maximum tolerated dose for phase II. Primary end points included safety and tolerability, with secondary end points of objective response rate, disease control rate, and progression-free survival.

RESULTS

In total, 25 patients were treated with tivozanib 1.5 mg QD [12 (48%) treatment-naïve; 13 (52%) previously treated]. Treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs were reported in 20 patients (80%); 4 patients (17%) experienced AEs that led to dose reduction, and 8 (32%) discontinued due to AEs. The objective response rate was 56% (including one complete response) and disease control rate was 96%, with a median time to best response of 7.9 weeks. Twenty patients (80%) had tumor shrinkage. With a median follow-up of 19.0 months (range, 12.6-22.8), median progression-free survival was 18.9 months (95% confidence interval 16.4-not reached) in all patients and was similar in treatment-naïve and previously treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Tivozanib plus nivolumab combination therapy showed a generally tolerable AE profile and promising antitumor efficacy. These results support further development of tivozanib combined with nivolumab as a treatment option in patients with treatment-naïve or previously treated metastatic RCC.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

NCT03136627.

Race/Ethnicity and Survival in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Outcomes for Patients Receiving First Line Targeted Therapies

BACKGROUND: No study to date has assessed the relationship between treatment-specific therapeutic outcomes and race/ethnicity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). As targeted therapies have formed the backbone of first-line treatment options for mRCC until very recently, we assessed the relationship between race/ethnicity and targeted therapy-related outcomes in mRCC. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare response rates and survival outcomes across ethnicities in patients who received first-line targeted therapies for mRCC. METHODS: Patients with mRCC receiving a first-line targeted therapy were identified from an institutional database encompassing consecutive patients treated between 2009 and 2019. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics and survival outcomes were recorded. The racial/ethnic groups included for analysis were Caucasian American, Hispanic American, and Asian American. Survival and response outcomes including progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were calculated and compared across ethnic groups using Kaplan-Meier method and Chi-square test, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 295 patients were included for analysis. There were 184 (62.4%) Caucasian American patients, 82 (27.8%) Hispanic American patients, and 29 (9.8%) Asian American patients. No statistically significant differences in PFS nor OS were found between groups (PFS: 5.6 vs. 4.7 vs. 4.7 months, respectively) (OS: 32 vs. 31.7 vs. 51.7 months, respectively). No significant difference was found in ORR nor DCR across groups. Univariate cox regression analyses demonstrated no independent effect of race/ethnicity on PFS or OS. CONCLUSIONS: The apparent lack of differences in treatment-related outcomes across racial/ethnic groups is encouraging. However, further validation is required in larger series.

Treating metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma: beyond immunotherapy

First-line treatment for metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma patients with intermediate and poor-risk features consists of a combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., nivolumab + ipilimumab) or immunotherapy with an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) drug (e.g., axitinib). The subsequent line of therapy should be determined on the basis of previous treatments and approved drugs available, based on the results of randomized clinical trials. Unfortunately, no phase 3 trial has compared the safety and efficacy of drugs after immunotherapy; thus, drug choice is more empirical than evidence-based. As the tumor may still be anti-VEGFR drug-naïve, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for first line treatment (e.g., sunitinib or pazopanib) may be beneficial. Because this is a second-line treatment, patients could also receive axitinib, cabozantinib, or a combination of lenvatinib and everolimus. The treating physician should choose an appropriate treatment according to the patient's age, comorbidities, and tolerability of previous checkpoint inhibitors, among other considerations. Cases of patients with renal cell carcinoma refractory to checkpoint inhibitor treatment are growing, warranting a review of the activity and safety of target therapies after immunotherapy.

Axitinib plus immune checkpoint inhibitor: evidence- and expert-based consensus recommendation for treatment optimisation and management of related adverse events

With the recent approval of the combinations of axitinib with the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) pembrolizumab or avelumab for first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma, guidance on how to distinguish between immune-related adverse events (AEs) caused by ICI versus axitinib-related AEs is necessary to optimise therapy with axitinib–ICI combinations. The recommendations here are based on (1) systematic review of published evidence, (2) discussion among experts in the field and (3) a survey to obtain expert consensus on specific measures for therapy management with the combinations axitinib/avelumab and axitinib/pembrolizumab. The experts identified areas of AEs requiring unique management during treatment with axitinib–ICI combinations that were not covered by current recommendations. Diarrhoea, hepatic toxicity, fatigue and cardiovascular AEs were found to be applicable to such specialised management. Triage between immune-suppressive and supportive measures is a key component in therapy management. Clinical monitoring and experience with both classes of agents are necessary to manage this novel therapeutic approach. We focused on AEs with an overlap between axitinib and ICI therapy. Our recommendations address AE management of axitinib–ICI combinations with the aim to improve the safety of these therapies.

Pancreatic tropism of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterized by a particularly broad metastatic swath, and, enigmatically, when the pancreas is a destination, the disease is associated with improved survival. Intrigued by this observation, we sought to characterize the clinical behavior, therapeutic implications, and underlying biology. While pancreatic metastases (PM) are infrequent, we identified 31 patients across 2 institutional cohorts and show that improved survival is independent of established prognostic variables, that these tumors are exquisitely sensitive to antiangiogenic agents and resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and that they are characterized by a distinctive biology. Primary tumors of patients with PM exhibited frequent PBRM1 mutations, 3p loss, and 5q amplification, along with a lower frequency of aggressive features such as BAP1 mutations and loss of 9p, 14q, and 4q. Gene expression analyses revealed constrained evolution with remarkable uniformity, reduced effector T cell gene signatures, and increased angiogenesis. Similar findings were observed histopathologically. Thus, RCC metastatic to the pancreas is characterized by indolent biology, heightened angiogenesis, and an uninflamed stroma, likely underlying its good prognosis, sensitivity to antiangiogenic therapies, and refractoriness to ICI. These data suggest that metastatic organotropism may be an indicator of a particular biology with prognostic and treatment implications for patients.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy combinations in renal cell carcinoma

The treatment landscape of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has been transformed with the advent of antiangiogenics, notably tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Both treatment options have improved outcomes of patients and modified the natural history of mRCC. Clinical investigations have focused on evaluating combination regimens containing ICIs and VEGFR-directed TKIs. Namely, the combinations of axitinib plus pembrolizumab (KEYNOTE-426) and axitinib plus avelumab (JAVELIN RENAL 101) have shown improved outcomes compared with sunitinib in treatment-naïve patients with mRCC. In this review, we discuss the clinical data of single-agent TKIs and ICIs in mRCC and the rationale for the combination ICIs and TKIs based on preclinical and clinical evidence. We also explore the current challenges for regimen selection and development of predictive biomarkers.

Complete response of renal cell carcinoma with an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus and lung metastases after treatment with nivolumab plus ipilimumab

In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors have become the most important drugs for treating renal cell carcinoma. In combination with performing nephrectomies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been used as neoadjuvant therapy, as they reduce the size of a primary renal mass and cause the disappearance of metastatic lesions. However, there are only a few reports on immune checkpoint inhibitors as neoadjuvant therapy. Herein, we report a case of renal cell carcinoma with multiple lung metastases and an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus that showed a complete response via radical nephrectomy after nivolumab plus ipilimumab. A 47-year-old man was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma with multiple lung metastases and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. After four treatment cycles of nivolumab plus ipilimumab and five cycles of nivolumab, we performed radical nephrectomy and resection of the thrombus tumor by excising a part of the inferior vena cava. The pathological diagnosis had no residual tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first case of complete disappearance of all malignant cells. Immunostaining of the primary renal mass revealed strong positivity for CD4 and CD8. The patient has been followed up without additional treatment for 8 months, but no recurrence has been observed. We suggest the use of nivolumab plus ipilimumab as neoadjuvant therapy. However, physicians should consider the possibilities of immune-related adverse events.