Dr Zhang on the Use of Radiation Therapy for Oligometastatic RCC

Tian Zhang, MD, MHS, associate professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, discusses the use of radiation therapy for patients with oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

In an OncLive® State of the Science Summit™, Zhang and colleagues from the UT Southwestern Medical Center each gave presentations on topics spanning RCC treatment. Moreover, experts within the RCC landscape spoke to 3 case presentations regarding the treatment of patients with RCC. Hans Hammers, MD, PhD, conducted case discussions involving a group of patients, one of whom had oligoprogressive kidney cancer, Zhang details. At UT Southwestern Medical Center, oncologists have conducted extensive research on oligoprogressive disease, exploring the potential for radiation therapy in oligometastatic sites to delay the need for further systemic treatments, Zhang says. These discussions focused on the role of radiation in managing oligoprogressive disease, Zhang notes. 

Furthermore, the phase 3 SOAR clinical study (NCT05863351), led by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research group, is currently in the accrual phase and is anticipated to launch soon, Zhang expands. This trial aims to assess the use of radiation for oligometastatic kidney cancer, with the goal of extending the time before patients require systemic treatments, Zhang explains. This approach may reduce the systemic adverse effects (AEs) associated with current systemic agents, emphasizes.

Zhang says that in her practice, the decision to pursue radiation therapy in the oligometastatic disease setting is multidisciplinary and involves the patient’s preferences. Patients with fewer than 4 oligometastatic sites, as well as those who are wary about the potential AEs associated with immunotherapies or VEGF-targeted therapies, often exhibit a strong desire for radiation therapy, Zhang continues. This approach can help delay the initiation of systemic treatments. Simultaneously, while these patients undergo radiation therapy, they receive close monitoringfor any signs of disease progression, Zhang concludes.