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Msaouel P, Genovese G, Tannir NM. Renal Cell Carcinoma of Variant Histology: Biology and Therapies. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2023; 37:977-992. [PMID: 37244822 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2023.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The term variant histology renal cell carcinomas (vhRCCs), also known as non-clear cell RCCs, refers to a diverse group of malignancies with distinct biologic and therapeutic considerations. The management of vhRCC subtypes is often based on extrapolating results from the more common clear cell RCC studies or basket trials that are not specific to each histology. The unique management of each vhRCC subtype necessitates accurate pathologic diagnosis and dedicated research efforts. Herein, we discuss tailored recommendations for each vhRCC histology informed by ongoing research and clinical experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlos Msaouel
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Giannicola Genovese
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; TRACTION Platform, Division of Therapeutic Discoveries, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nizar M Tannir
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Hahn AW, Lebenthal J, Genovese G, Sircar K, Tannir NM, Msaouel P. The significance of sarcomatoid and rhabdoid dedifferentiation in renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2022; 33:100640. [PMID: 36174377 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Dedifferentiation in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), either sarcomatoid or rhabdoid, is an infrequent event that may occur heterogeneously in the setting of any RCC histology and is associated with poor outcomes. Sarcomatoid dedifferentiation is associated with inferior survival with angiogenesis targeted therapy and infrequent responses to cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, immune checkpoint therapy has significantly improved outcomes for patients with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation. Biologically, sarcomatoid dedifferentiation has increased programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and an inflamed tumor microenvironment, in addition to other distinct molecular alterations. Less is known about rhabdoid dedifferentiation from either a clinical, biological, or therapeutic perspective. In this focused review, we will discuss the prognostic implications, outcomes with systemic therapy, and underlying biology in RCC with either sarcomatoid or rhabdoid dedifferentiation present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Hahn
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America.
| | - Justin Lebenthal
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Giannicola Genovese
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America; Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Kanishka Sircar
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America; Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Nizar M Tannir
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Pavlos Msaouel
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America; Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America.
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Tachibana H, Kondo T, Ishihara H, Fukuda H, Yoshida K, Takagi T, Izuka J, Kobayashi H, Tanabe K. Modest efficacy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2021; 51:646-653. [PMID: 33212488 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyaa229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Combined immunotherapy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab for intermediate- and poor-risk metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma showed prolonged progression-free survival and high objective response rate in a randomized phase III clinical trial. However, the efficacy of this treatment for papillary renal cell carcinoma remains unclear. In the present study, we analysed the efficacy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab therapy for papillary renal cell carcinoma compared with that for clear cell renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective study of 30 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received nivolumab and ipilimumab as first-line therapy between December 2015 and May 2020. The objective response rate, progression-free survival and toxicity were compared between the two groups (clear cell renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma). RESULTS Out of 30 patients, 7 and 23 were diagnosed with papillary renal cell carcinoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma, respectively. With a median follow-up of 7.2 months, the median progression-free survival was significantly shorter in papillary renal cell carcinoma than in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (2.4 vs. 28.1 months, P = 0.014). Of the seven patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma, one had partial response, one had stable disease and five had progressive disease, resulting in an objective response rate of 14.2%, which was lower compared to that of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (14.2 vs. 52.1%, P = 0.06). Discontinuation due to toxicity was not observed with papillary renal cell carcinoma, meanwhile 60.8% of patient with clear cell renal cell carcinoma discontinued treatment due to toxicity. CONCLUSION Nivolumab plus ipilimumab had modest efficacy for papillary renal cell carcinoma compared with that for clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Nivolumab plus ipilimumab remains an option for a limited number of patients with intermediate- or poor-risk papillary renal cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekazu Tachibana
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsunenori Kondo
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ishihara
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hironori Fukuda
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Yoshida
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshio Takagi
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junpei Izuka
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirohito Kobayashi
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunari Tanabe
- Department of Urology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Zoumpourlis P, Genovese G, Tannir NM, Msaouel P. Systemic Therapies for the Management of Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: What Works, What Doesn't, and What the Future Holds. Clin Genitourin Cancer 2021; 19:103-116. [PMID: 33358151 PMCID: PMC8169717 DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC) is a broad term that refers to a diverse group of tumors, each with its own distinct biologic and therapeutic profile. The management of nccRCCs is often based on extrapolating data from clinical trials in the more common clear cell renal cell carcinoma, but our emerging prospective and retrospective clinical experience in nccRCC allows us to make more precise recommendations tailored to each histology. The systemic therapy options for metastatic nccRCC include targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and, for specific rare subtypes, cytotoxic chemotherapy. Each nccRCC histology may respond differently to these regimens, which makes accurate pathologic diagnosis imperative. In the present review, we discuss the available clinical and biological data that can help guide systemic therapy recommendations for specific nccRCC subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giannicola Genovese
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Nizar M Tannir
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
| | - Pavlos Msaouel
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
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Shaw LK, Wiele AJ, Sircar K, Wood CG, Msaouel P. Safe and effective use of nivolumab plus ipilimumab in a patient with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation and end stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2021; 27:100349. [PMID: 33725559 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) pathways using the combination immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) nivolumab and ipilimumab is an approved frontline therapy for patients with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC). Certain populations pose clinical challenges due to exclusion from large clinical trials that established the safety and efficacy of these treatments, including patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). While there are reports successfully administering single-agent ICI in patients with ESRD, we present herein a case of safe and effective use of combination nivolumab plus ipilimumab in a 53-year-old man with mccRCC with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation and ESRD on hemodialysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah K Shaw
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew J Wiele
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kanishka Sircar
- Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory, Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher G Wood
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pavlos Msaouel
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory, Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Outcomes of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Urol Oncol 2020; 39:134.e9-134.e16. [PMID: 33187886 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Metastatic renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation (sRCC) is associated with poor survival outcomes. We aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with sRCC comparing clear-cell (sccRCC) to non-clear cell epithelial histology (snccRCC). METHODS We performed retrospective analysis of sRCC patients who received ICI at MD Anderson Cancer Center (n = 48, 41 with ccRCC and 7 with nccRCC) to determine the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR). Additionally, we performed a prespecified multivariable Cox regression comparing survival outcomes between sccRCC and snccRCC. RESULTS The ORR for the entire cohort was 35.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.4%, 49.6%), including 8 (16.7%) patients (95% CI: 8.7%, 29.6%) who achieved a complete remission. The disease control rate was 52% (95% CI: 38.3%, 65.5%). In patients with sccRCC, the ORR was 39% (95% CI: 25.7%, 54.3%) and disease control rate 58.5% (43.4%, 72.2%). Among 7 snccRCC patients, only one (14.3%) achieved an objective partial response. At a median follow-up of 51.1 months, the median PFS was 4.9 months (95% CI: 2.7, 16.3) and the median OS was 28.4 months (95% CI: 15.8, NA) for the entire cohort. For patients with sccRCC, the median PFS was 8.9 months, with median OS of 30.1 months, compared with median PFS of 2.3 months (HR 0.25 [95% CI: 0.08, 0.78]; P= 0.0145) and median OS of 6.7 months (HR 0.13 [95% CI 0.04, 0.44]; P=0.0009) for patients with snccRCC. CONCLUSION ICIs appear to be effective in sccRCC while the treatment of snccRCC remains challenging.
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Blum KA, Gupta S, Tickoo SK, Chan TA, Russo P, Motzer RJ, Karam JA, Hakimi AA. Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: biology, natural history and management. Nat Rev Urol 2020; 17:659-678. [PMID: 33051619 PMCID: PMC7551522 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-020-00382-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sarcomatoid dedifferentiation is an uncommon feature that can occur in most histological subtypes of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and carries a decidedly poor prognosis. Historically, conventional treatments for sarcomatoid RCCs (sRCCs) have shown little efficacy, and median survival is commonly 6–13 months. Despite being first described in 1968, the mechanisms driving sarcomatoid dedifferentiation remain poorly understood, and information and treatment options available to physicians and patients are limited. When diagnosed at an early stage, surgical intervention remains the treatment of choice. However, preoperative identification through routine imaging or biopsy is unreliable and most patients present with advanced disease and systemic symptoms. For these patients, the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy is disputed. The expansion of immunotherapies approved for RCCs has generated a search for biomarkers that might be indicative of treatment response in sRCCs, although a proven effective systemic agent remains elusive. PDL1 expression is increased in sarcomatoid dedifferentiated renal tumours, which suggests that patients with sRCCs could benefit from PD1 and/or PDL1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Treatment outcomes for sarcomatoid tumours have remained relatively consistent compared with other RCCs, but further investigation of the tumour–immune cell microenvironment might yield insights into further therapeutic possibilities. In this Review, Blum et al. summarize the current knowledge on sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma, a diagnosis characterized by the presence of sarcomatoid dedifferentiation and a poor prognosis. They discuss the origin, presentation, molecular biology and treatment of this disease. Sarcomatoid dedifferentiation is not considered to be a unique histological subtype of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs); rather, it can be present within any subtype of RCCs. Sarcomatoid dedifferentiation appears in ~4% of all RCCs, but is present in ~20% of all metastatic RCCs. According to WHO guidelines, any RCC with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation is a WHO–International Society of Urological Pathology grade 4 lesion. Sarcomatoid dedifferentiation is often heterogeneously present within RCCs, making routine imaging and biopsy unreliable for preoperative detection. Surgical resection for localized disease is the standard of care, with subsequent close monitoring of patients following surgery. In patients with metastatic disease, conventional therapies such as surgery and systemic agents have been ineffective and overall 5-year survival remains at 23.5–33%. Previous genomic analyses have failed to identify definitive mutational drivers of disease. However, sarcomatoid RCCs (sRCCs) have been shown to have higher PD1 and PDL1 expression than other subtypes of RCCs. Newer combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies could yield improved responses and outcomes. Studies investigating sRCCs are limited by patient numbers owing to the low incidence of sRCCs and their advanced stage at presentation. Multi-institutional efforts to establish a consensus on treatment recommendations based on highly powered data are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Blum
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sounak Gupta
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Satish K Tickoo
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timothy A Chan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Immunogenomics and Precision Oncology Platform, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Russo
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert J Motzer
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jose A Karam
- Departments of Urology and Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - A Ari Hakimi
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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Complete response of renal cell carcinoma with an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus and lung metastases after treatment with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. Int Cancer Conf J 2020; 9:88-91. [PMID: 32257760 DOI: 10.1007/s13691-020-00403-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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