Prognostic significance of intensive local therapy to bone lesions in renal cell carcinoma patients with bone metastasis

We evaluated the prognostic roles of local therapy to bone metastasis (BM) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients with BM. This retrospective study included 71 mRCC patients with BM. Local therapy to BM included en bloc resection, curettage, and radiotherapy (RT). RT was classified into RT with biological effective dose (BED) ≥85 Gy and <85 Gy by its therapeutic intensity. Local therapy to BM was given for 64 patients (90 %): en bloc resection, curettage, and RT for 16, 10, and 38 patients, respectively. Fifteen patients received RT with BED ≥85 Gy. The median overall survival (OS) was 25 months (median follow-up 16 months). For 46 patients with solitary BM, patients treated with en bloc resection, curettage, and RT with BED ≥85 Gy showed significantly better OS than those treated with RT with BED <85 Gy or no local therapy (P = 0.006). Because OS was comparable among patients treated with en bloc resection, curettage, and RT with BED ≥85 Gy, these three treatment modalities were defined as "intensive local therapy". Intensive local therapy to BM was also associated with favorable OS with marginal significance (P = 0.052) in a cohort of 25 patients with multiple BM. A multivariate analysis in the whole cohort revealed that intensive local therapy to BM was independently associated with favorable OS (hazard ratio 0.23, P < 0.001) along with Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center risk category (P < 0.001). Thus, intensive local therapy to BM might improve OS in mRCC patients with BM including multiple BM.

Third-line Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium

BACKGROUND

The use of third-line targeted therapy (TTT) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is not well characterized and varies due to the lack of robust data to guide treatment decisions. This study examined the use of third-line therapy in a large international population.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use and efficacy of targeted therapy in a third-line setting.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-five international cancer centers provided consecutive data on 4824 mRCC patients who were treated with an approved targeted therapy. One thousand and twelve patients (21%) received TTT and were included in the analysis.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Patients were analyzed for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival using Kaplan-Meier curves, and were evaluated for overall response. Cox regression analyses were used to determine the statistical association between OS and the six factors included in the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) prognostic model. Subgroup analysis was performed on patients stratified by their IMDC prognostic risk status.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Everolimus was the most prevalent third-line therapy (27.5%), but sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, temsirolimus, and axitinib were all utilized in over ≥9% of patients. Patients receiving any TTT had an OS of 12.4 mo, a progression-free survival of 3.9 mo, and 61.1% of patients experienced an overall response of stable disease or better. Patients not receiving TTT had an OS of 2.1 mo. Patients with favorable- (7.2%) or intermediate-risk (65.3%) disease had the highest OS with TTT, 29.9 mo and 15.5 mo, respectively, while poor-risk (27.5%) patients survived 5.5 mo. Results are limited by the retrospective nature of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

TTT remains highly heterogeneous. The IMDC prognostic criteria can be used to stratify third-line patients. TTT use in favorable- and intermediate-risk patients was associated with the greatest OS.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Patients with favorable- and intermediate-prognostic criteria disease treated with third-line targeted therapy have an associated longer overall survival compared with those with poor risk disease.

Variation in use of targeted therapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Results from a Dutch population-based registry

BACKGROUND

For patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), targeted therapies have entered the market since 2006. The aims of this study were to evaluate the uptake and use of targeted therapies for mRCC in The Netherlands, examine factors associated with the prescription of targeted therapies in daily clinical practice and study their effectiveness in terms of overall survival (OS).

METHODS

Two cohorts from PERCEPTION, a population-based registry of mRCC patients, were used: a 2008-2010 Cohort (n = 645) and a 2011-2013 Cohort (n = 233). Chi-squared tests for trend were used to study time trends in the use of targeted therapy. Patients were grouped based on the eligibility criteria of the SUTENT trial, the trial that led to sunitinib becoming standard of care, to investigate the use of targeted therapies amongst patients fulfilling those criteria. Multi-level logistic regression was used to identify patient subgroups that are less likely to receive targeted therapies.

RESULTS

Approximately one-third of patients fulfilling SUTENT trial eligibility criteria did not receive any targeted therapy (29 % in the 2008-2010 Cohort; 35 % in the 2011-2013 Cohort). Patients aged 65+ years were less likely to receive targeted therapy in both cohorts and different risk groups (odds ratios range between 0.84-0.92); other factors like number of metastatic sites were of influence in some subgroups. Amongst treated patients, there was a decreasing trend in sunitinib use over time (p = 0.0061), and an increasing trend in pazopanib use (p = 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted therapies have largely replaced interferon-alfa as first-line standard of care. Nevertheless, many eligible patients in Dutch daily practice did not receive targeted therapies despite their ability to improve survival. Reasons for their apparent underutilisation should be examined more carefully.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma imaging evaluation in the era of anti-angiogenic therapies

During the last decade, the arsenal of anti-angiogenic (AAG) agents used to treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has grown and revolutionized the treatment of metastatic RCC, leading to improved overall survival compared to conventional chemotherapy and traditional immunotherapy agents. AAG agents include inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor signaling pathways and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors. Both of these classes of targeted agents are considered cytostatic rather than cytotoxic, inducing tumor stabilization rather than marked tumor shrinkage. As a result, decreases in tumor size alone are often minimal and/or occur late in the course of successful AAG therapy, while tumor devascularization is a distinct feature of AAG therapy. In successful AAG therapy, tumor devascularization manifests on computed tomography images as a composite of a decrease in tumor size, a decrease in tumor attenuation, and the development of tumor necrosis. In this article, we review Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST)-the current standard of care for tumor treatment response assessment which is based merely on changes in tumor length-and its assessment of metastatic RCC tumor response in the era of AAG therapies. We then review the features of an ideal tumor imaging biomarker for predicting metastatic RCC response to a particular AAG agent and serving as a longitudinal tumor response assessment tool. Finally, a discussion of the more recently proposed imaging response criteria and new imaging trends in metastatic RCC response assessment will be reviewed.

Metastatic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma to the brain

Metastases represent the most common tumors of the central nervous system, with clear cell renal cell carcinomas showing a particular predilection to involve the brain. This report documents an unusual case of a patient with a chromophobe renal cell carcinoma presenting with a brain metastasis. A 58-year-old man presented with stroke-like symptomatology, including expressive aphasia, right side facial weakness, headaches and vomiting. CT imaging demonstrated a 4.7 cm left frontal lobe hemorrhagic mass. He underwent surgery with excision of the mass, which was marked by sheets of large cells with lightly eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm. PAX8 staining was positive and a diagnosis of clear cell carcinoma of probably renal origin was rendered. Subsequently, CT imaging of the abdomen revealed a 12.9 cm left renal mass. The patient underwent a left nephrectomy and a diagnosis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma was made. The tumor was noted to extend into the perirenal fat and to have involved a paraaortic lymph node. Re-review of the frontal lobe lesion confirmed the tumor was the same. Chromophobe renal cell carcinomas are far less common than clear cell tumors, are less likely to metastasize, and generally have a more favorable overall prognosis. When they metastasize, they most commonly involve the liver, lung and lymph nodes, in contrast to the more common clear cell carcinomas that typically spread to the lungs, bone and brain.

[Prognostic factors for metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with second-line targeted therapies]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prognostic value of clinical and biological features in patients treated with second-line targeted therapies (TT) for a metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was performed including 60 patients treated with second-line TT from 2006 to 2013. Clinical and biological features were collected, including TT-induced toxicities, Heng and MSKCC prognostic scores, and renal function. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The median age was 61 years [39-81]. MSKCC and Heng scores were significantly prognostic for OS and PFS (P<0.05). Hypo-albuminemia, anemia and brain metastasis were associated with poorer OS and PFS (P<0.05). Severe induced toxicities had a prognostic impact with higher OS (26 months vs 10 months, P=0.003) and PFS (5 months vs 4 months, P=0.047). Renal function impairment at the initiation of the second line was also associated with higher survival (OS=24 months vs 9 months, P=0.035 and PFS=7 months vs 4 months, P=0.043). On multivariate analysis, induced toxicity was found as an independent factor of good prognosis for OS (HR=0.36; P=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that renal function impairment and TT-induced toxicities in the second line of treatment for mRCC have a potential prognostic interest as it had previously been reported for the first line of TT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

5.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in IL8 and IL13 with sunitinib-induced toxicity in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Purpose

Earlier, the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with toxicity and efficacy of sunitinib has been explored in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Recently, additional SNPs have been suggested as potential biomarkers. We investigated these novel SNPs for association with sunitinib treatment outcome in mRCC patients.

Methods

In this exploratory study, we selected SNPs in genes CYP3A4, NR1I2, POR, IL8, IL13, IL4-R, HIF1A and MET that might possibly be associated with sunitinib treatment outcome. Each SNP was tested for association with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by Cox-regression analysis and for clinical response and toxicity using logistic regression.

Results

We included 374 patients for toxicity analyses, of which 38 patients with non-clear cell renal cell cancer were excluded from efficacy analyses. The risk for hypertension was increased in the presence of the T allele in IL8 rs1126647 (OR = 1.69, 95 % CI = 1.07–2.67, P = 0.024). The T allele in IL13 rs1800925 was associated with an increase in the risk of leukopenia (OR = 6.76, 95 % CI = 1.35–33.9, P = 0.020) and increased prevalence of any toxicity > grade 2 (OR = 1.75, 95 % CI = 1.06–2.88, P = 0.028). No significant associations were found with PFS, OS or clinical response.

Conclusions

We show that polymorphisms in IL8 rs1126647 and IL13 rs1800925 are associated with sunitinib-induced toxicities. Validation in an independent cohort is required.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00228-015-1935-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sequential molecularly targeted drug therapy including axitinib for a patient with end-stage renal failure and metastatic renal cell carcinoma

A 62-year-old male patient with end-stage renal disease and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was referred to our hospital. Sequential targeted therapy consisting of sorafenib, sunitinib, and everolimus was administered, but the patient's disease gradually progressed. Axitinib was subsequently administered at a decreased dose of 6 mg/day for 2 weeks, after which the dose was escalated to 10 mg/day. Axitinib therapy was maintained for a total of 6 months without severe adverse effects. Sequential molecularly targeted drug therapy including axitinib, with careful monitoring, is one possible treatment option for patients with metastatic RCC with renal impairment.

UNC-51-like kinase 1 expression in radical nephrectomy specimens as a predicting factor of progression-free survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors

BACKGROUND

To analyze basal expression levels of multiple components in the autophagy pathway in radical nephrectomy specimens from patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, to identify factors predicting susceptibility to these agents.

METHODS

This study included 48 consecutive patients undergoing radical nephrectomy, who were diagnosed with mRCC and subsequently treated with either everolimus or temsirolimus. Expression levels of 5 major molecular markers involved in the signaling pathway associated with autophagy, including autophagy-related protein (Atg)5, Atg9, Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3, and UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), were measured by immunohistochemical staining of primary renal cell carcinoma specimens.

RESULTS

During the observation period of this study (median = 16.2 mo), 36 patients developed disease progression, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) period of 7.6 months. Of several factors examined, bone metastasis, liver metastasis, and ULK1 expression were shown to have significant effects on the response to mTOR inhibitors. PFS was significantly correlated with the expression level of ULK1 in addition to bone and liver metastases on univariate analysis. Of these significant factors, ULK1 expression and liver metastasis were independently associated with PFS on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

It may be useful to consider expression levels of potential molecular markers in the autophagy pathway, particularly ULK1, in addition to conventional parameters, when selecting patients with mRCC who are likely to benefit from treatment with mTOR inhibitors.

Absence of Significant Correlation of Adverse Events Between First- and Second-Line Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Several adverse events (AEs) are known to be commonly observed during treatment with different tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients. However, no significant correlation appears present in the profiles of such AEs between first- and second-line TKI therapies. Therefore, a second-line targeted agent for patients with mRCC could be selected irrespective of the AE profile during first-line TKI therapy.

BACKGROUND

Several adverse events (AEs) commonly observed during treatment with different tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The objective of the present study was to investigate whether the appearance of such AEs during treatment with first-line TKIs significantly affects the occurrence of AEs during second-line TKI therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present study included 154 consecutive patients with mRCC treated with second-line TKIs after the discontinuation of first-line TKIs. The association of AEs, including diarrhea, fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, hypertension, and hypothyroidism, between first- and second-line therapies was analyzed in these 154 patients.

RESULTS

For all 5 AEs assessed in the present study, the proportion of patients experiencing AEs or those grade ≥ 3 during second-line TKI therapy was not significantly different among the following 3 groups: patients without AEs, those with grade ≤ 2 AEs, and those with grade ≥ 3 AEs during first-line TKI therapy. Furthermore, no significant difference was seen in progression-free or overall survival after the introduction of second-line TKIs between patients with and without grade ≥ 3 AEs during treatment with first-line TKIs.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of AEs or grade ≥ 3 AEs during second-line TKI therapy are not dependent on the profiles of AEs during first-line TKI therapy in patients with mRCC. Therefore, AEs that occur during first-line TKI therapy should not affect the selection of second-line targeted agents for patients with mRCC.

Everolimus for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma refractory to anti-VEGF therapy: results of a pooled analysis of non-interventional studies

AIM

To assess the efficacy and safety of everolimus in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who failed one or two anti-VEGF therapies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from four prospective, non-interventional studies conducted in Germany, France, Greece and Austria were pooled for this analysis. Patients with mRCC of any histology (clear cell or non-clear cell) were included. VEGF-refractory patients received everolimus 10mg/day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective was to determine everolimus efficacy as measured by time to progression (TTP; from baseline to progression).

RESULTS

The overall population comprised 632 patients; 493 patients received everolimus in the second-line setting. Most patients were of favourable/intermediate MSKCC risk (91%), had clear cell mRCC (89%), and had undergone nephrectomy (89%). Median TTP was 6.3months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9-6.8) for the overall population and 6.4months (95% CI, 5.8-6.9) for the second-line everolimus population. Similarly, median progression-free survival was 5.5months (95% CI, 5.0-6.1) for the overall population and 5.8months (95% CI, 5.0-6.4) for second-line everolimus population. Best tumour response (n=349) was complete or partial remission in 12% of patients and stable disease in 59% of patients. Overall population median overall survival (OS) was 11.2months (95% CI, 9.0-not reached). Commonly reported adverse events (AEs) (any grade) were stomatitis (25%), anaemia (15%) and asthenia (11%).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this pooled analysis provide evidence of safety and effectiveness of second-line everolimus in routine clinical use and support everolimus as a standard of care for VEGF-refractory patients with mRCC.

Is there a role for systemic targeted therapy after surgical treatment for metastases of renal cell carcinoma?

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is a challenging disease. Despite the new targeted therapies, complete remissions occur only in 1%-3% of the cases, and the most effective first-line treatment drugs have reached a ceiling in overall survival (ranging from 9 to 49 mo). Metastasectomy remains to be the only curative option in most patients with mRCC. Prognostic nomograms have been recently published, so we have tools to classify patients in risk groups, allowing us to detect the cases with the higher risk of recurrence after metastasectomy. Although sparse, there is some evidence of effectiveness of neoadjuvant targeted therapy before metastasectomy; but with an increase in surgical complications due to the effects of these new drugs in tissue healing. We have aimed to answer the question: Is there a role for systemic targeted therapy after surgical treatment for metastases of renal cell carcinoma? We have made a search in Pubmed database. As far as we know, evidence is low and it’s based in case reports and small series of patients treated with adjuvant drugs after neoadjuvant therapy plus metastasectomy in cases of partial response to initial systemic treatment. Despite the limitations and high risk of bias, promising results and cases with long-term survival with this approach have been described. Two ongoing clinical trials may answer the question that concerns us.

Sunitinib dosing schedule 2/1 improves tolerability, efficacy, and health-related quality of life in Chinese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of sunitinib dosing schedule of 2 weeks on and 1 week off (schedule 2/1) vs. the traditional schedule of 4 weeks on and 2 week off (schedule 4/2) and its influence on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chinese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 108 patients with mRCC who were treated with sunitinib regimens (50mg daily) between January 2009 and July 2013 was undertaken. Overall, 3 groups of patients were studied according to the dosing schedule they received: schedule 4/2 (n = 50), transitional schedule 2/1 (T2/1; patients switched from schedule 4/2 to 2/1; n = 26), and initial schedule 2/1 (I2/1; n = 32). The tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS) time, adverse events, and HRQoL were assessed and compared among the groups.

RESULTS

The incidences of diarrhea, fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, and neutropenia induced by the treatment of sunitinib were all significantly less common with schedule I2/1 and T2/1 than with schedule 4/2 (P<0.05). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the tumor response among the 3 groups, the median PFS time was significantly longer with schedule I2/1 than with schedules T2/1 and 4/2 (11.2 vs. 9.4 and 9.5mo, respectively, P = 0.030), and HRQoL (as determined by 19-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Kidney Symptom Index scores) was better.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with sunitinib 50mg daily using a 2/1 dosing schedule can provide better tolerability and a longer PFS with better HRQoL in Chinese patients with mRCC than the traditional schedule 4/2.

Clinical characteristics and treatment-related biomarkers associated with response to high-dose interleukin-2 in metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma: retrospective analysis of an academic community hospital's experience

Background

Immunotherapy in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma can produce durable therapeutic responses, which may improve survival. We aimed to identify clinical characteristics and biomarkers associated with response to high-dose interleukin-2 therapy (IL-2) in patients with metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma treated at an academic community hospital.

Patients/Methods

We retrospectively analyzed clinical variables and biomarkers of 50 consecutive metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma patients treated at our institution with IL-2 during 2004 – 2012. We evaluated clinical characteristics: metastatic sites of disease, prior therapies, number of IL-2 doses per cycle, response duration, autoimmune phenomena, and peak fever, as well as laboratory biomarkers: baseline LDH, platelet nadir, and baseline and highest absolute lymphocyte count (ALC). Survival outcomes were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves.

Results

Variables differing between responders (clinical benefit group) and non-responders (no clinical benefit group) in metastatic melanoma included platelet nadir during treatment (p = 0.015), autoimmune phenomena (p = 0.049), and in renal cell carcinoma, platelet nadir (p = 0.026). There were no significant differences between number of doses of IL-2 received per cycle and response in either cancer subtype. Clinical benefit occurred in 25% of patients (9/36) when IL-2 was given as first-line therapy. Median overall survival for the clinical benefit group from the initiation of IL-2 to death or last follow-up was 61 months versus 17 months for the no clinical benefit group (p < 0.001) for metastatic melanoma. In renal cell carcinoma overall survival for clinical benefit patients was 48 months versus 17 months. No treatment-related deaths occurred.

Conclusions

High-dose IL-2 can be safely administered by an experienced team in a non–intensive care oncology unit. The clinical benefit group developed autoimmune phenomena (melanoma patients), lower platelet nadir, and on average, received the same number of IL-2 doses as the no clinical benefit group, suggesting a response relationship to the patient’s baseline immune status. Further investigation of immune predictors of response may be useful to select appropriate patients for this therapy.

Is there a "Trial Effect" on Outcome of Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Sunitinib?

Purpose

Studies suggested the existence of a ‘trial effect', in which for a given treatment, participation in a clinical trial is associated with a better outcome. Sunitinib is a standard treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We aimed to study the effect of clinical trial participation on the outcome of mRCC patients treated with sunitinib, which at present, is poorly defined.

Materials and Methods

The records of mRCC patients treated with sunitinib between 2004-2013 in 7 centers across 2 countries were reviewed. We compared the response rate (RR), progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), between clinical trial participants (n=49) and a matched cohort of non-participants (n=49) who received standard therapy. Each clinical trial participant was individually matched with a non-participant by clinicopathologic factors. PFS and OS were determined by Cox regression.

Results

The groups were matched by age (median 64), gender (male 67%), Heng risk (favorable 25%, intermediate 59%, poor 16%), prior nephrectomy (92%), RCC histology (clear cell 86%), pre-treatment NLR (>3 in 55%, n=27), sunitinib induced hypertension (45%), and sunitinib dose reduction/treatment interruption (41%). In clinical trial participants versus non-participants, RR was partial response/stable disease 80% (n=39) versus 74% (n=36), and progressive disease 20% (n=10) versus 26% (n=13) (p=0.63, OR 1.2). The median PFS was 10 versus 11 months (HR=0.96, p=0.84), and the median OS 23 versus 24 months (HR=0.97, p=0.89).

Conclusions

In mRCC patients treated with sunitinib, the outcome of clinical trial participants was similar to that of non-participants who received standard therapy.

Palliative thyroidectomy in the setting of a metastatic renal cell carcinoma

A secondary neoplasm of the thyroid gland is a distinctly uncommon cause of thyroid enlargement. These tumors mimic primary thyroid gland tumors and often lead to diagnostic difficulties. We report an interesting case of secondary thyroid tumor coexisting with a micropapillary carcinoma in an elderly male patient following a radical nephrectomy done 15 years prior for a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Interestingly, the previously described coincidental association of thyroid and pancreatic metastases in a metastatic RCC was also noted in our patient as was demonstrated in the positron emission tomography-computed tomography which was done as part of the metastatic workup. This association needs to be further explored as also the role of palliative thyroidectomy in the setting of a metastatic RCC. The possibility of metastatic RCC should be kept as a differential during the course of the evaluation of clear cell renal tumor of the thyroid gland.

Comparative effectiveness of second-line targeted therapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: synthesis of findings from two multi-practice chart reviews in the United States

BACKGROUND

Second-line targeted therapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) include mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This study compares the effectiveness of these therapies in a multi-practice chart review and synthesizes the findings with those of a similarly designed study.

METHODS

Medical oncologists/hematologists (N = 36) were recruited to review charts for patients aged ≥18 years, received a first-line TKI and initiated second-line targeted therapy in 2010 or later. The primary outcome was time from second-line initiation to treatment failure (TTF; discontinuation, physician-assessed progression, or death, whichever occurred first). TTF was compared among patients receiving second-line everolimus (EVE), temsirolimus (TEM), or TKI as a class, using a Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for type of initial TKI and response, histological subtype, performance status, and sites of metastasis. Hazard ratios (HRs) for TTF were pooled, in a meta-analysis, with previously reported HRs for progression-free survival from a chart review with a similar design.

RESULTS

A total of 138, 64 and 79 patients received second-line therapy with EVE, TEM or a TKI, respectively. Adjusting for baseline characteristics, EVE was associated with numerical, but not statistically significant, reductions of 28% (HR = 0.72; 95% CI [0.45-1.16]) and 26% (HR = 0.74; 95% CI [0.48-1.15]) in the hazard of TTF compared to TEM and TKI, respectively. After pooling the HRs from both studies, EVE was associated with significantly reduced hazards of TTF compared to TEM and TKI (HR = 0.73; 95% CI [0.57-0.93]; and HR = 0.75; 95% CI [0.57-0.98], respectively).

LIMITATIONS

LIMITATIONS include retrospective analyses with possible missing or erroneous chart data, confounding of unobserved factors due to non-randomization, and limited data for axitinib during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

In pooled results from two independent multi-practice chart reviews of second-line mRCC treatment, EVE was associated with significantly reduced hazards of treatment failure compared to TEM and to TKIs as a class.

First-line treatment result influence second-line regimen selection in targeted therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Sequential treatments using various targeted-therapies have been recommended for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. However, regimen selection remains difficult when adapting to various clinical situations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2006 to 2012, 29 patients who received sequential targeted-therapy at our hospital were included for analysis of the treatment regimens and outcome.

RESULTS

Patients who used sunitinib as first-line and axitinib as second-line treatment experienced a similar second-line treatment duration, as those used the same first-line and everolimus as the second-line regimen. The first-line sunitinib treatment duration was longer in the axitinib group.

CONCLUSION

Our data showed a promising sequential treatment result using sunitinib-axitinib and sunitinib-everolimus. In patients whose first-line sunitinib treatment resulted in primary resistance, second-line everolimus was found to still contribute a fair degree of disease control. Patients who responded to first-line sunitinib could also achieved fair disease control using second-line axitinib.

Changes in the diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and the development of non-infectious pneumonitis in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with everolimus

AIM

The aim of the present study was to evaluate how treatment with everolimus changes readouts of the pulmonary function test (PFT) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We also attempted to determine whether changes of PFT or everolimus-associated non-infectious pneumonitis (NIP) might affect the efficacy of everolimus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The results of PFTs, radiological reports and medical records of 36 mRCC patients treated with everolimus after failure to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR-TKI) were reviewed.

RESULTS

Whereas 9 patients (30%) developed radiological changes consistent with everolimus-associated NIP (pneumonitis group), 27 were included in the non-pneumonitis group. The baseline value of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide divided by the alveolar volume (DLco/VA) was 90%. It decreased significantly as the duration of treatment increased (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in DLco/VA values between patients with and without NIP either at baseline (p=0.28) and 6 weeks after the initiation of everolimus therapy (p=0.18). The changes in DLco/VA between baseline and 6 weeks did not differ between the two groups (p=0.55). Time-dependent covariate Cox analysis, indicated that the decrease in DLco/VA was not correlated with the efficacy of everolimus in terms of progression-free survival (PFS; HR=1.0, p=0.94) and overall survival (OS; HR=0.98, p=0.18), whereas development of NIP was associated with worse PFS (HR=4.60, p=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Patients with mRCC who are receiving everolimus therapy display a reduction in DLco/VA over time. However, neither the baseline DLco/VA nor the change in DLco/VA over time can help predict either development of NIP or the efficacy of everolimus.

A systematic review of the role of hepatectomy in the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

AIM

This review sought to systematically appraise the literature to establish the role of hepatectomy in treating renal cell carcinoma hepatic metastases.

METHOD

Medline and EMBASE were systematically searched for papers reporting survival of patients who underwent hepatectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

RESULTS

Six studies containing 140 patients were included. There were no randomised controlled trials. Perioperative mortality was 4.3%, with reported morbidity between 13 and 30%. Patients with metachronous presentation, and a greater time interval between resection of primary tumour and development of metachronous metastases, appeared to have better survival. There was no difference in survival between patients with solitary and multiple metastases.

CONCLUSION

Few patients with hepatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma are suitable for hepatectomy as metastatic disease is usually widespread. Selected patients may experience a survival benefit, but identifying these patients remains difficult.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma without evidence of a primary renal tumour

Although metastases are common in patients with renal cell carcinoma (rcc), it is extremely rare for patients to present with metastatic rcc (mrcc) without evidence of a primary mass in the kidney. Two cases of mrcc with no detectable primary renal mass are reported here. Both patients had bilateral native kidneys in situ and no significant prior urologic history. The first patient presented with a hip fracture and was found to have multiple radiologic bony and lung metastases. Biopsy of a mass involving the pubic bone demonstrated clear cell mrcc. Multiple scans by computed tomography (ct) and confirmatory imaging by magnetic resonance demonstrated no renal mass. This first patient had disease stabilization for 18 months on sunitinib and was still alive at last follow-up. The second patient was diagnosed with clear-cell mrcc after thickened synovium was discovered and biopsied during a knee arthroplasty. Multiple scans by ct in this second patient demonstrated no primary renal mass. Sunitinib and radiotherapy to the knee lesion were initiated, but unfortunately, the patient deteriorated clinically and passed away from disease progression shortly after diagnosis. Because of the rare nature of these cases, a standardized course of action has not yet been established. However, we hypothesize that it is reasonable to manage metastases in these patients by following established mrcc protocols.

Cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with synchronous metastases from renal cell carcinoma: results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium

BACKGROUND

The benefit of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) for overall survival (OS) is unclear in patients with synchronous metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in the era of targeted therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine OS benefit of CN compared with no CN in mRCC patients treated with targeted therapies.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective data from patients with synchronous mRCC (n=1658) from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) were used to compare 982 mRCC patients who had a CN with 676 mRCC patients who did not.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

OS was compared and hazard ratios (HRs) adjusted for IMDC poor prognostic criteria.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Patients who had CN had better IMDC prognostic profiles versus those without (favorable, intermediate, or poor in 9%, 63%, and 28% vs 1%, 45%, and 54%, respectively). The median OS of patients with CN versus without CN was 20.6 versus 9.5 mo (p<0.0001). When adjusted for IMDC criteria to correct for imbalances, the HR of death was 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.69; p<0.0001). Patients estimated to survive <12 mo may receive marginal benefit from CN. Patients who have four or more of the IMDC prognostic criteria did not benefit from CN. Data were collected retrospectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CN is beneficial in synchronous mRCC patients treated with targeted therapy, even after adjusting for prognostic factors. Patients with estimated survival times <12 mo or four or more IMDC prognostic factors may not benefit from CN. This information may aid in patient selection as we await results from randomized controlled trials.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We looked at the survival outcomes of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients who did or did not have the primary tumor removed. We found that most patients benefited from tumor removal, except for those with four or more IMDC risk factors.

Prognostic factors associated with the response to sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the prognostic clinicopathologic factors associated with overall survival (os) and progression-free survival (pfs) in the once-daily continuous administration of first-line sunitinib in a consecutive cohort of Turkish patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (rcc).

METHODS

The study enrolled 77 Turkish patients with metastatic rcc who received sunitinib in a continuous once-daily dosing regimen between April 2006 and April 2011. Univariate analyses were performed using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 18.5 months. In univariate analyses, poor pfs and os were associated with 4 of the 5 factors in the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc) score: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or higher, low hemoglobin, high corrected serum calcium, and high lactate dehydrogenase. In addition to those factors, hypoalbuminemia, more than 2 metastatic sites, liver metastasis, non-clear cell histology, and the presence of sarcomatoid features on pathology were also associated with poor pfs; and male sex, hypoalbuminemia, prior radiotherapy, more than 2 metastatic sites, lung metastasis, nuclear grade of 3 or 4 for the primary tumour, and the presence of sarcomatoid features were also associated with poorer os. The application of the mskcc model distinctly separated the pfs and os curves (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified prognostic factors for pfs and os with the use sunitinib as first-line metastatic rcc therapy and confirmed that the mskcc model still appears to be valid for predicting survival in metastatic rcc in the era of molecular targeted therapy.