scholarly journals Multidiscipline Immunotherapy-Based Rational Combinations for Robust and Durable Efficacy in Brain Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6290
Author(s):  
Hye-Won Lee
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Medical Needs

Advanced imaging techniques for diagnosis have increased awareness on the benefits of brain screening, facilitated effective control of extracranial disease, and prolonged life expectancy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients. Brain metastasis (BM) in patients with mRCC (RCC-BM) is associated with grave prognoses, a high degree of morbidity, dedicated assessment, and unresponsiveness to conventional systemic therapeutics. The therapeutic landscape of RCC-BM is rapidly changing; however, survival outcomes remain poor despite standard surgery and radiation, highlighting the unmet medical needs and the requisite for advancement in systemic therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are one of the most promising strategies to treat RCC-BM. Understanding the role of brain-specific tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is important for developing rationale-driven ICI-based combination strategies that circumvent tumor intrinsic and extrinsic factors and complex positive feedback loops associated with resistance to ICIs in RCC-BM via combination with ICIs involving other immunological pathways, anti-antiangiogenic multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and radiotherapy; therefore, novel combination approaches are being developed for synergistic potential against RCC-BM; however, further prospective investigations with longer follow-up periods are required to improve the efficacy and safety of combination treatments and to elucidate dynamic predictive biomarkers depending on the interactions in the brain TIME.

scholarly journals Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy combinations in renal cell carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175883592090750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elie Rassy ◽  
Ronan Flippot ◽  
Laurence Albiges
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Improved Outcomes

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.

Adjuvant Therapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Current Stance and Future Directions

Kidney Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Austin G. Kazarian ◽  
Neal S. Chawla ◽  
Ramya Muddasani ◽  
Sumanta K. Pal
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Adjuvant Therapy ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Adjuvant Setting ◽  
Metastatic Setting

In recent years, incredible progress has been made in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, with a paradigm shift from the use of cytokines to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and more recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Despite advances in the metastatic setting, effective therapies in the adjuvant setting are a largely unmet need. Currently, sunitinib (Sutent, Pfizer) is the only therapy for the adjuvant treatment of RCC included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, which was approved by the FDA based on the improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) seen in the S-TRAC trial. However, improvement in DFS has not translated into an overall survival (OS) benefit for patients at high-risk of relapse post-nephrectomy, illustrating the need for more effective therapies. This manuscript will highlight attributes of both historical and current drug trials and their implications on the landscape of adjuvant therapy. Additionally, we will outline strategies for selecting patients in whom treatment would be most beneficial, as optimal patient selection is a crucial step towards improving outcomes in the adjuvant setting. This is especially critical, given the financial cost and pharmacological toxicity of therapeutic agents. Furthermore, we will review the design of clinical trials including the value of utilizing OS as an endpoint over DFS. Finally, we will discuss how the incorporation of genomic data into predictive models, the use of more sensitive imaging modalities for more accurate staging, and more extensive surgical intervention involving lymph node dissection, may impact outcomes.

scholarly journals Determinants of resistance to VEGF-TKI and immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Revati Sharma ◽  
Elif Kadife ◽  
Mark Myers ◽  
George Kannourakis ◽  
Prashanth Prithviraj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Angiogenesis Pathway

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGF-TKIs) have been the mainstay of treatment for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Despite its early promising results in decreasing or delaying the progression of RCC in patients, VEGF-TKIs have provided modest benefits in terms of disease-free progression, as 70% of the patients who initially respond to the treatment later develop drug resistance, with 30% of the patients innately resistant to VEGF-TKIs. In the past decade, several molecular and genetic mechanisms of VEGF-TKI resistance have been reported. One of the mechanisms of VEGF-TKIs is inhibition of the classical angiogenesis pathway. However, recent studies have shown the restoration of an alternative angiogenesis pathway in modulating resistance. Further, in the last 5 years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized RCC treatment. Although some patients exhibit potent responses, a non-negligible number of patients are innately resistant or develop resistance within a few months to ICI therapy. Hence, an understanding of the mechanisms of VEGF-TKI and ICI resistance will help in formulating useful knowledge about developing effective treatment strategies for patients with advanced RCC. In this article, we review recent findings on the emerging understanding of RCC pathology, VEGF-TKI and ICI resistance mechanisms, and potential avenues to overcome these resistance mechanisms through rationally designed combination therapies.

scholarly journals Evolving Treatment Paradigm in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

2017 ◽  
pp. 319-329
Author(s):  
David M. Gill ◽  
Neeraj Agarwal ◽  
Ulka Vaishampayan
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Targeted Therapies ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Mtor Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Paradigm

The treatment paradigm for advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has evolved rapidly since the arrival of targeted therapies and novel immunotherapies. mRCC was previously treated only with cytokines. However, discoveries of mutations affecting the von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor gene (leading to increased expression of VEGF and hypoxia inducible factor/HIF-1) and of deregulations in the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT/mTOR pathway (resulting in tumor angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and tumor growth) have led to the development of numerous targeted therapies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has thus approved a total of nine targeted therapies since 2005, including VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sunitinib, pazopanib, axitinib, sorafenib, and lenvatinib), a monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF (bevacizumab), mTOR inhibitors (temsirolimus and everolimus), and a multityrosine kinase inhibitor (cabozantinib). Furthermore, the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors has again shifted the mRCC therapeutic landscape with the FDA’s approval of nivolumab. Herein, we discuss the unprecedented changes in the field of clear cell histology mRCC in both the first-line and salvage settings, and we also discuss future therapies and recommend a treatment paradigm on sequencing of these agents.

scholarly journals Stereotactic body radiation therapy in combination with systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a prospective multicentre study

ESMO Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. e000535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Dengina ◽  
Timur Mitin ◽  
Sergey Gamayunov ◽  
Sufia Safina ◽  
Yuliya Kreinina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Target Lesion

BackgroundTyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and checkpoint inhibitors have been established as effective treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), but only a minority of patients achieve complete response. Additional strategies are necessary to improve these agents’ efficacy.MethodsPatients with stable disease for at least 4 months on TKI or checkpoint inhibitors were included. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) was delivered to an organ with comparable lesions, where one lesion was in the treatment target and the other one was intentionally left untreated (control lesion). Response in both lesions was scored using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors V.1.1 criteria 2 months after completion of SBRT. The primary endpoint was the rate of SBRT adverse events, and the secondary endpoints included the rate of reduction in target lesion size.Results17 patients were enrolled (14 men and 3 women, median age: 54.5 years old). SBRT was delivered to the lungs (n=5), bones (n=4), lymph nodes (n=4), liver (n=1), primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (n=1) and locally recurrent RCC (n=2). The equivalent dose in 2 Gy with an alpha to beta ratio of 2.6 was 114 Gy. With a median follow-up of 8 months, the cumulative rate of SBRT-related toxicity (grade 1) was 12% (n=2), consisting of oesophagitis and skin erythema. No grade 2 or higher toxicity was detected. Radiographic response in the target lesion was seen in 13 patients (76%), with complete response in 5 (29%) patients and partial response in 8 (47%), including abscopal effect in 1 patient. Control lesions remained stable in 16 patients. The difference between response in the target and control lesions as judged by the mean sizes of these lesions before and at 2 months after SBRT was statistically significant (p<0.01). Fraction size of 10 Gy or greater was associated with complete response (p<0.01).ConclusionExtracranial SBRT in patients with mRCC treated with TKI or checkpoint inhibitors is well tolerated and could be effective.Trial registration numberNCT02864615

scholarly journals Combination of pembrolizumab and axitinib: a new gold standard in the first-line therapy for metastatic clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma?

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-37
Author(s):  
R. A. Gafanov ◽  
A. G. Dzidzaria ◽  
I. B. Kravtsov ◽  
S. V. Fastovets
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
First Line ◽  
Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

The treatment strategy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has evolved with the emergence of anti-angiogenic drugs, in particular tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Both treatment options improved patient outcomes and altered the natural history of mRCC. Clinical studies have focused on evaluating combination regimens containing ICI and VEGFR-targeted TKIs. The combination of axitinib with pembrolizumab (KEYNOTE-426) showed better results compared to sunitinib in patients with mRCC who had not previously received systemic therapy. In this article, we discuss the rationale for the combination of ICI and TKI based on preclinical data, as well as the clinical results obtained with the combination of axitinib with pembrolizumab in first-line patients in clinical trials.

scholarly journals Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Era of Precision Medicine: From Molecular Pathology to Tissue-Based Biomarkers

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (36) ◽  
pp. 3553-3559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabina Signoretti ◽  
Abdallah Flaifel ◽  
Ying-Bei Chen ◽  
Victor E. Reuter
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Clear Cell ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Pathologic Features ◽  
Clear Cell Rcc ◽  
Metastatic Rcc

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is not a single entity but includes various tumor subtypes that have been identified on the basis of either characteristic pathologic features or distinctive molecular changes. Clear cell RCC is the most common type of RCC and is characterized by dysregulation of the von Hippel Lindau/hypoxia-inducible factor pathway. Non–clear cell RCC represents a more heterogeneous group of tumors with diverse histopathologic and molecular features. In the past two decades, the improved understanding of the molecular landscape of RCC has led to the development of more effective therapies for metastatic RCC, which include both targeted agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Because only subsets of patients with metastatic RCC respond to a given treatment, predictive biomarkers are needed to guide treatment selection and sequence. In this review, we describe the key histologic features and molecular alterations of RCC subtypes and discuss emerging tissue-based biomarkers of response to currently available therapies for metastatic disease.

scholarly journals Tumor Microenvironment Features as Predictive Biomarkers of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (mccRCC)

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Audrey Simonaggio ◽  
Nicolas Epaillard ◽  
Cédric Pobel ◽  
Marco Moreira ◽  
Stéphane Oudard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Clear Cell ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Genomic Signatures

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the seventh most frequently diagnosed malignancy with an increasing incidence in developed countries. Despite a greater understanding of the cancer biology, which has led to an increase of therapeutic options, metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) still have a poor prognosis with a median five-years survival rate lower than 10%. The standard of care for mccRCC has changed dramatically over the past decades with the emergence of new treatments: anti-VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mTOR Inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) such as anti-Programmed cell-Death 1 (PD-1) and anti-anti-Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) used as monotherapy or as a combination with anti CTLA-4 or anti angiogenic therapies. In the face of these rising therapeutic options, the question of the therapeutic sequences is crucial. Predictive biomarkers are urgently required to provide a personalized treatment for each patient. Disappointingly, the usual ICI biomarkers, PD-L1 expression and Tumor Mutational Burden, approved in melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have failed to distinguish good and poor mccRCC responders to ICI. The tumor microenvironment is known to be involved in ICI response. Innovative technologies can be used to explore the immune contexture of tumors and to find predictive and prognostic biomarkers. Recent comprehensive molecular characterization of RCC has led to the development of robust genomic signatures, which could be used as predictive biomarkers. This review will provide an overview of the components of the RCC tumor microenvironment and discuss their role in disease progression and resistance to ICI. We will then highlight the current and future ICI predictive biomarkers assessed in mccRCC with a major focus on immunohistochemistry markers and genomic signatures.

A review of checkpoint inhibitors in the management of renal cell carcinoma

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirollos S Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Cancer Type

Renal cell carcinoma is a common malignancy of the genitourinary system and is the eight most common cancer type in the United States. The overall incidence of renal cell carcinoma appears to be increasing but death rates have been declining. Patients with poor risk, advanced disease have a two-year survival rate of approximately 7%. Prior to the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibodies, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, and checkpoint inhibitors, IFN-α and high-dose IL-2, were standard of care treatment options but, conversely, their use is now limited to select patients. Immunotherapies have played a significant role in the treatment of various cancers and have continued to expand. It is of utmost importance that practitioners include checkpoint inhibitors as treatment options for renal cell carcinoma as they mark a new era in the treatment of advanced or relapsed setting. Nivolumab, pembrolizumab, avelumab, ipilimumab, and atezolizumab all play a role in management of disease as either monotherapy or in combination with other agents. Ongoing clinical trials are ongoing to further assess the benefits of inducing cellular immunity in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. In this article, the available data on immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of advanced or relapsed renal cell carcinoma and their place in therapy are reviewed.

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