Dr. Jonasch on Next Steps With MK-6482 in Von Hippel-Lindau Disease–Associated RCC

Eric Jonasch, MD, professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the next steps with the potent, selective, small molecule hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2α inhibitor MK-6482 in Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease–associated renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

MK-6482 demonstrated favorable clinical activity in a phase 2 study (NCT03401788) for this rare patient population.

However, whether the agent will receive an approval based on these findings or whether a randomized trial is required remains unclear, Jonasch says.

Another outstanding question is whether MK-6482 could be used as a preventative treatment for lesions that can develop from VHL disease–associated RCC, explains Jonasch. Additionally, combining the agent with another drug or immunotherapy agent may enhance responses in the metastatic setting.

For example, Toni Choueiri, MD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is spearheading a study evaluating MK-6482 plus cabozantinib (Cabometyx) in this space, concludes Jonasch.