Dr. Pal Compares CheckMate-214 and CABOSUN Trials in RCC

Sumanta K. Pal, MD, medical oncologist, assistant clinical professor, Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, discusses both the CheckMate-214 and CABOSUN trials for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

This is a very interesting era in RCC, Pal explains. The regimen of nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) is being explored against standard-of-care therapy sunitinib (Sutent), which has shown an overall survival benefit with the combination, as well a benefit in response rates. There was not a major difference in progression-free survival, Pal adds. Additionally, there may be a selected benefit in patients who have high levels of PD-L1 expression.

Secondly, the randomized phase II CABOSUN trial investigated cabozantinib (Cabometyx) versus sunitinib in patients with RCC. An independent radiographic review of the results showed superiority with cabozantinib over sunitinib, confirming the primary analysis. Pal hopes that next steps can include biomarker-based elements to identify a subset of patients who will benefit from the immunotherapy combination versus cabozantinib.

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