Dr. Jonasch on the Promise of Belzutifan in Metastatic RCC

Eric Jonasch, MD, professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the promise of the hypoxia inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) inhibitor belzutifan (Welireg) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Data from the phase 1 LITESPARK-001 trial (NCT02974738) showed that the HIF-2α inhibitor belzutifan (Welireg) demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 25% and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 14.5 months in patients with metastatic RCC, Jonasch explains.

Additional studies investigating belzutifan in combination with cabozantinib (Cabometyx) in the frontline and second-line settings have also displayed benefits for patients with metastatic RCC, Jonasch continues. In cohort 1 of the phase 2 LITESPARK-003 trial (NCT03634540), patients with treatment-naïve metastatic RCC who received belzutifan plus cabozantinib experienced an ORR of 57% and a median PFS of 30.3 months, Jonasch concludes.