First experience in treating advanced urothelial cancer with enfortumab vedotin. Single-centre retrospective study of patients qualified for a rescue access procedure

Introduction

Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of urinary tract malignancy. Current treatment options, including platinum-based chemotherapy or immunotherapy, present significant challenges, ranging from limited efficacy to severe toxicities. Recent developments in antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), such as enfortumab vedotin (EV), promise to significantly improve overall survival. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of EV. In addition, we highlight the observed benefits of next-line treatment after progression.

Material and methods

This retrospective study involved 16 patients with advanced urothelial cancer treated with EV at the Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Maria Skłodowska- Curie National Research Institute of Oncology between November 2022 and November 2023. The study evaluated patients' medical history, response to EV treatment, and side effects. Notably, the study included patients who had already exhausted standard treatment options and who were treated with EV through a rescue access procedure.

Results

Partial response was observed in 4 out of 9 (44%) patients with available imaging. Common terminology criteria for adverse events (AE) grade 3 and 4 were observed in 3 out of 16 patients, which subsequently required dose reduction.

Conclusions

Enfortumab vedotin demonstrates effectiveness in real-world settings in treating advanced urothelial cancer. Proper management of AE in experienced centres may further prolong survival. Personalized treatment and the development of new ADC represent the future for improved patient outcomes.

Adverse Events of Cabozantinib as a Potential Prognostic Factor in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients: Real-World Experience in a Single-Center Retrospective Study

Cabozantinib, an oral inhibitor targeting MET, AXL, and VEGF receptors, has become a key component of a sequential treatment strategy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The purpose of this work is to show that effective management of adverse events (AEs) during cabozantinib treatment and achieving a balance between AEs and treatment efficacy is crucial to achieving therapeutic goals. In this retrospective study, involving seventy-one metastatic RCC (mRCC) patients receiving second or subsequent lines of cabozantinib at the Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, we explored the impact of AEs on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). AEs were observed in 92% of patients. Hypothyroidism during treatment was significantly associated with prolonged OS and PFS (HR: 0.31; p < 0.001 and HR: 0.34; p < 0.001, respectively). The occurrence of hand-foot syndrome (HFS) was also linked to improved OS (HR: 0.46; p = 0.021). Patients experiencing multiple AEs demonstrated superior OS and PFS compared to those with one or no AEs (HR: 0.36; p < 0.001 and HR: 0.30; p < 0.001, respectively). Hypothyroidism and HFS serve as valuable predictive factors during cabozantinib treatment in ccRCC patients, indicating a more favorable prognosis.

Prognostic value of pan-immune-inflammation value and body mass index in geriatric patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors as first line treatment. A single-center retrospective study

Introduction

Geriatric patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) are underrepresented in clinical trials. Evaluation of the efficacy of the treatment and assignation of individuals to proper prognostic groups is an absolute necessity to guarantee them the best possible care.

Material and methods

A total of 138 geriatric patients with mRCC treated with first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) at the Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology were retrospectively analyzed to determine whether the body mass index (BMI) and pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) are prognostic values for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in this type of cancer. For this purpose, Cox's proportional hazard model was used.

Results

The median duration of follow-up for surviving patients was 46.6 (95% CI: 17.4-75.8) months. The median OS and PFS were respectively 33.8 months (95% CI: 23.8-47.8) and 19.1 months (95% CI: 15.0-23.3). BMI (p = 0.034) and PIV (p < 0.001) were statistically significantly associated with OS, and PIV (p = 0.001) was statistically significantly associated with PFS. The risk of death for patients from the high-PIV group (cut-off point: 548) was 3.4 times higher than for those with lower PIV values. The corresponding risk of progression for patients from the high-PIV group was 2.2 times higher. The G8 geriatric screening tool was not identified as a prognostic factor.

Conclusions

Lower PIV and obesity are associated with longer OS in geriatric mRCC patients treated with TKIs in the first line. These factors may be considered while making treatment decisions if further studies show the same results.

Activity of cabozantinib in further line treatment of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Real-world experience in a single-center retrospective study

Introduction

Cabozantinib is an oral inhibitor of MET, AXL, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors. It has an immunomodulatory effect and may influence the tumor's microenvironment and make mutated cells more sensitive to immune-mediated killing. These properties have made cabozantinib an effective drug for first-line or subsequent-line treatment after progression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), even after immunotherapy.

Material and methods

Seventy-one patients with mRCC were treated with second or further lines of cabozantinib at the Department of Genitourinary Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology. This study retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness of cabozantinib in subsequent lines of treatment. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary endpoints. The best overall response (BOR) to cabozantinib was the secondary endpoint. For this purpose, Cox's proportional hazard model was used.

Results

The median PFS was 11 months (5; 23) and the median OS was 16 months (10; 42) and differed significantly in the second and further lines of treatment. Progression in the second and further lines was observed in 28 (93%) and 27 (66%) patients, respectively (p = 0.006). Partial response as the BOR was observed in one patient (3%) in the second line and 13 patients (32%) in the further lines (p = 0.012).

Conclusions

Cabozantinib has antitumor effects in the second and further lines of treatment. In this study we observed high efficiency of cabozantinib in further lines of treatment.

Prostate Cancer in Transplant Receivers-A Narrative Review on Oncological Outcomes

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a low tumor mutational burden (TMB) cancer with a poor response to immunotherapy. Nonetheless, immunotherapy can be useful, especially in metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC). Increased cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) density is correlated with a shorter overall survival (OS), an early biochemical relapse, and a generally poor PCa prognosis. An increased number of CCR4+ regulatory T cells (CCR4 + Tregs) relates to a higher Gleason score or earlier progression. The same therapeutic options are available for renal transplant recipients (RTRs) as for the population, with a comparable functional and oncological outcome. Radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) is the most common method of radical treatment in RTRs. Brachytherapy and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) seem to be promising therapies. Further studies are needed to assess the need for prostatectomy in low-risk patients before transplantation. The rate of adverse pathological features in RTRs does not seem to differ from those observed in the non-transplant population and the achieved cancer control seems comparable. The association between PCa and transplantation is not entirely clear. Some researchers indicate a possible association between a more frequent occurrence of PCa and a worse prognosis in advanced or metastatic PCa. However, others claim that the risk and survival prognosis is comparable to the non-transplant population.