Dr. Albiges on Immunotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Laurence Albiges, MD, ‎medical oncologist, head, Genitourinary Oncology Unit, Gustave Roussy, discusses how immunotherapy has had an impact on the field of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

The field has been evolving for some time, Albiges explains. However, exciting immuno-oncology results were presented at the 2015 ESMO Congress. It was here that the findings of a phase III study exploring nivolumab (Opdivo) compared with everolimus (Afinitor) showed that, in patients who failed on 1 or 2 anti-VEGF therapies, there is a role for immunotherapy.

This has made an impact on the standard of care. Next steps, she adds, will include combination studies of immunotherapy agents as an effort to elicit a greater benefit.