Stéphane Oudard1, Yann Vano. 1. aOncology Department, European Hospital Georges Pompidou bOncology Department, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To explore the accumulating evidence and feasibility of rechallenge with agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways for incorporation into the evolving management algorithm for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC). RECENT FINDINGS: The current standard of care after the development of resistance to first-line targeted therapies in mRCC is sequential treatment with subsequent lines of alternative anti-VEGF agents or mTOR inhibitors, with optimal sequencing being the focus of ongoing research. Recent evidence from case study and retrospective reports suggests that mRCC patients can achieve important clinical benefits from rechallenge at later lines of therapy with the same targeted therapy used for previous line treatment. Further, the results of REchallenge with SUnitinib in MEtastatic, the first study of sunitinib rechallenge to include a prospective component, reinforce the potential for prolonged survival with this treatment approach for mRCC patients. SUMMARY: Rechallenge represents an important and feasible therapeutic option for the future treatment of mRCC patients. The results of ongoing prospective studies are expected to further evaluate the benefits of rechallenge and better inform wherein this approach fits in the treatment algorithm for mRCC.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To explore the accumulating evidence and feasibility of rechallenge with agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways for incorporation into the evolving management algorithm for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC). RECENT FINDINGS: The current standard of care after the development of resistance to first-line targeted therapies in mRCC is sequential treatment with subsequent lines of alternative anti-VEGF agents or mTOR inhibitors, with optimal sequencing being the focus of ongoing research. Recent evidence from case study and retrospective reports suggests that mRCC patients can achieve important clinical benefits from rechallenge at later lines of therapy with the same targeted therapy used for previous line treatment. Further, the results of REchallenge with SUnitinib in MEtastatic, the first study of sunitinib rechallenge to include a prospective component, reinforce the potential for prolonged survival with this treatment approach for mRCC patients. SUMMARY: Rechallenge represents an important and feasible therapeutic option for the future treatment of mRCC patients. The results of ongoing prospective studies are expected to further evaluate the benefits of rechallenge and better inform wherein this approach fits in the treatment algorithm for mRCC.