Dr. Quinn on Combinations of Targeted Therapy in RCC

David I. Quinn, MD, MBBS, associate professor of Medicine, medical director of USC Norris Cancer Hospital, on combinations of targeted therapies for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

The combination in the first-line setting of bevacizumab (Avastin) and atezolizumab (Tecentriq) is showing quite significant activity, which seems to be greater in patients that express the PD-L1 marker via immunohistochemistry. There is a follow-up phase III study for that which will give researchers more ideas and definitive efficacy and safety data, states Quinn.

Then, there are a number of combinations with the PD-1/PD-L1 agents that are combined with targeted agents, most particularly with axitinib (Inlyta). Data for the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab (Bavencio) and the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in combinations with axitinib in phase I/II studies suggest very significant activity.