The role of mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors: the MARECAP retrospective study

A red blood cell-based score in the prognostication of patients with metastatic RCC of the Meet-URO 15 study

Aims: Anemia, mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width may have some effects on survival outcomes of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients and are incorporated in a red blood cell (RBC)-based score. Its validity in prognostication of mRCC patients treated with second-line nivolumab was assessed. Patients and methods: Retrospective analysis using Meet-URO-15 cohort of mRCC patients receiving nivolumab in the second-line setting or beyond. Outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: A total of 390 patients were included. Significant differences in OS and PFS between RBC-based score groups, with group 1 (2 or 3 of the RBC-related prognostic factors) having longer OS (median 29.5 months, 95% CI: 23.1-35.9, versus 11.5 months, 95% CI: 8.5-22.6; p < 0.001) and PFS (7.5 months, 95% CI: 5.5-10.2, versus 4.2 months, 95% CI: 3.3-5.9; p = 0.040) than those in group 0 (0 or 1 RBC-related prognostic factors). Belonging to group 1 independently predicted OS (hazard ratio: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.50-0.85; p = 0.002) but not PFS (hazard ratio: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.70-1.14, p = 0.370) or disease response (OR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.41-1.10; p = 0.118) at multivariable analysis. Conclusion: RBC-based group scores independently predicted OS in mRCC patients treated with nivolumab.

External validation of a red cell-based blood prognostic score in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations

Immunotherapy combinations with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) had significantly improved outcomes of patients with mRCC. Predictive and prognostic factors are crucial to improve patients' counseling and management. The present study aimed to externally validate the prognostic value of a previously developed red cell-based score, including hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red cell distribution width (RDW), in patients with mRCC treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations (TKI plus ICI or ICI plus ICI). We performed a sub-analysis of a multicentre retrospective observational study (ARON-1 project) involving patients with mRCC treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess the correlation between the red cell-based score and progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Logistic regression were used to estimate the correlation between the score and the objective response rate (ORR). The prognostic impact of the red cell-based score on PFS and OS was confirmed in the whole population regardless of the immunotherapy combination used [median PFS (mPFS): 17.4 vs 8.2 months, HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.94; median OS (mOS): 42.0 vs 17.3 months, HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.39-0.92; p < 0.001 for both]. We validated the prognostic significance of the red cell-based score in patients with mRCC treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations. The score is easy to use in daily clinical practice and it might improve patient counselling.

Research Progress on Mechanism and Management of Adverse Drug Reactions of Anlotinib

Anti-angiogenesis therapy plays a vital role in the treatment of tumors, with anlotinib as its representative targeted drug. Anlotinib is a novel oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with inhibitory effects on tumor growth tumor angiogenesis. In Phase III clinical trials, anlotinib demonstrated better overall survival and progression-free survival than placebo in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and was approved for the first time as a third-line treatment for refractory advanced NSCLC. Going far beyond that, anlotinib has shown encouraging results in a variety of malignancies, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, gastric cancer and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Nevertheless, anlotinib has been subject to some controversy in terms of adverse events due to its widespread use. In this review, the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic characteristics, adverse reactions in clinical use and management of anlotinib were summarized.