Dr. Pal on the Safety Profile of Cabozantinib/Atezolizumab in Advanced RCC

Sumanta K. Pal, MD, an associate clinical professor, Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research; co-director, Kidney Cancer Program; and a medical oncologist with City of Hope, discusses the safety profile of cabozantinib (Cabometyx) in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

During the 2020 ESMO Virtual Congress, results of the phase 1b COSMIC-021 trial were presented, evaluating the combination regimen in patients with previously untreated advanced clear cell RCC.

Regarding safety, Pal says the toxicities that were reported with the combination were in line with those expected of cabozantinib plus atezolizumab.

Adverse effects with atezolizumab included a spectrum of non-overlapping immune-related toxicities, says Pal. Anticipated toxicities from cabozantinib included hand-foot syndrome, changes in liver function, and diarrhea.

Notably, the 40 mg and 60 mg doses of cabozantinib yielded similar rates of tolerability, Pal concludes.