Cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic kidney cancer: what do we do now?

A Neurosurgical Perspective on Brain Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma: Multi-Institutional, Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

While acknowledging the generally poor prognostic features of brain metastases from renal cell carcinoma (BM RCC), it is important to be aware of the fact that neurosurgery still plays a vital role in managing this disease, even though we have entered an era of targeted therapies. Notwithstanding their initial high effectiveness, these agents often fail, as tumors develop resistance or relapse.

METHODS

The authors of this study aimed to evaluate patients presenting with BM RCC and their outcomes after being treated in the Neurosurgical Department of Clinical Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", and the Neurosurgical Department of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, Bucharest, Romania. The study is based on a thorough appraisal of the patient's demographic and clinicopathological data and is focused on the strategic role of neurosurgery in BM RCC.

RESULTS

A total of 24 patients were identified with BM RCC, of whom 91.6% had clear-cell RCC (ccRCC) and 37.5% had a prior nephrectomy. Only 29.1% of patients harbored extracranial metastases, while 83.3% had a single BM RCC. A total of 29.1% of patients were given systemic therapy. Neurosurgical resection of the BM was performed in 23 out of 24 patients. Survival rates were prolonged in patients who underwent nephrectomy, in patients who received systemic therapy, and in patients with a single BM RCC. Furthermore, higher levels of hemoglobin were associated in our study with a higher number of BMs.

CONCLUSION

Neurosurgery is still a cornerstone in the treatment of symptomatic BM RCC. Among the numerous advantages of neurosurgical intervention, the most important is represented by the quick reversal of neurological manifestations, which in most cases can be life-saving.

Outcomes following cytoreductive nephrectomy without immediate postoperative systemic therapy for patients with synchronous metastatic renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

While the recent CARMENA trial evaluated upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) among patients treated with immediate subsequent systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), the role of CN in patients not immediately requiring systemic therapy remains to be determined.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the oncologic outcomes of patients with de-novo synchronous mRCC who underwent CN +/- metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) and subsequent surveillance without planned immediate post-CN systemic therapy.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS

Adults who underwent CN for unilateral, sporadic mRCC between 1996 and 2016 without immediate postoperative systemic therapy were identified using the prospectively-maintained Mayo Clinic Nephrectomy Registry. Co-primary outcomes were survival free of systemic therapy or death and overall-survival.

RESULTS

Of 156 patients who met inclusion criteria for study, 37 (24%) patients were managed after CN with surveillance alone and 119 (76%) underwent MDT. Seventy-two patients ultimately initiated systemic therapy at a median of 0.7 years (IQR 0.3-1.7). Median follow-up among survivors was 6.2 years (IQR 4.4-9.5), during which time 133 patients died. At 1, 3, and 5 years, survival free of systemic therapy or death rates were 47%, 21% and 14% and overall-survival rates were 69%, 37%, and 28%.

CONCLUSION

Among carefully selected patients managed with surveillance after CN +/- MDT, approximately half may avoid systemic therapy for 1 year, with a subset achieving long-term survival free of systemic therapy or death. Having a single metastatic site and disease amenable to complete metastasectomy are features of patients who might be well served with upfront CN +/- MDT.

Update on First-Line Combination Treatment Approaches in Metastatic Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

OPINION STATEMENT

The treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has significantly evolved in recent years with a deeper understanding of the molecular make-up of the disease and the clinical development of therapies with novel mechanisms of action. While some patients with more indolent disease may benefit from local therapy such as metastasectomy or cytoreductive nephrectomy, others may safely embark on an active surveillance program or be offered targeted therapy. Yet, a combination regimen including an ICI is the most effective regimen and should be considered in most mRCC cases. Ongoing studies will help determine which factors can be further used to optimize treatment selection and personalize disease management.

The role of active surveillance and cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has been revolutionized by an expanding armamentarium of systemic therapies, which have resulted in improved patient outcomes. Multimodal approaches that include cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN), immunotherapy, and targeted therapy are necessary to optimize clinical care. Active surveillance (AS) and CN are two cornerstones of treatment in mRCC, which require reexamination in the context of new systemic therapies. Herein, we review the data and provide a practical approach for the incorporation of AS and CN in the management of mRCC.