Dr. Lee on the Combination of Immunotherapy and TKIs in mRCC

Chung-Han Lee, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist at theMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the efficacy of combining immunotherapy with TKIs to treat patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Currently, there is a lot of interest in evaluating some of the approaches that are used in the first-line space, in later lines of treatment. Certainly, many different agents are being examined in different combinations.For example, investigators have examined the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination in this space, such as the combination of nivolumab (Opdivo)and ipilimumab (Yervoy) post progression on single-agent PD-1 inhibitor. Another research focus is determining whether VEGF immunotherapy combinations can be effective after progression on an immune checkpoint inhibitor, adds Lee.

Right now, the data on these TKI/immunotherapy combinations following progression on checkpoint inhibitors are very limited. Prospective data are only available for the combination of lenvatinib (Lenvima) plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Based on an initial analysis, the therapy appears to be an active regimen, says Lee. While the combination of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab is not yet FDA approved, the initialresults are very encouraging, says Lee, who is hopeful that the regimen will be added to the cadre of medications that are available for patients with metastatic disease.