New Targeted Therapies in Renal Cell Carcinoma

In season 2, episode 8 of “Targeted Talks,” Thomas Hutson, DO, PharmD, of Texas Oncology, a part of the US Oncology Network, and Rana R. McKay, MD, of UC San Diego Health, discuss the renal cell carcinoma (RCC) paradigm and challenges to overcome in the future.

Kidney cancer has experienced multiple paradigm shifts, according to Hutson. Most recently, second-generation drugs like immune checkpoint inhibitors have become a backbone therapy in the frontline setting. McKay explains that these drugs are now being used successfully in combinations like nivolumab (Opdivo) plus ipilimumab (Yervoy). Also, immunotherapy and VEGF inhibitor combination like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus axitinib (Inlyta) and avelumab (Bavencio) plus axitinib are being newly introduced in clinical practice. The newest doublets include nivolumab in combination with cabozantinib (Cabometyx) and lenvatinib (Lenvima) in combination with pembrolizumab.

The next step for providing optimal treatment to patients with RCC may be bringing these ICIs into the adjuvant setting, both physicians stated. Further, with the influx of new therapies and even more novel treatment in the development phase, understanding how to sequence these therapies remains an important clinical question. Another important unmet need in research space is identifying new targets in RCC.