[Current Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results of a Germany-Wide Survey by the German Society for Immune and Targeted Therapy].

Abstract

Introduction: The therapeutic landscape of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is diverse. The aim of this survey conducted by the German Society for Immuno- and Targeted Therapy e.V. (DGFIT) was to collect data on the treatment reality (real-world data) of mRCC in Germany.

Materials and methods: Between August and September 2023, a standardized questionnaire was sent via email and QR code to urologists and oncologists throughout Germany. The survey included 18 questions regarding the initial therapy, adjuvant therapy and the treatment of mRCC.

Results: A total of 105 physicians participated in the survey, the majority being urologists (97%). Adjuvant immunotherapy is regularly administered in most cases (85%), and cytoreductive kidney surgery is also frequently performed. The IMDC score is routinely assessed before initiating mRCC therapy in the majority of cases (69.5%). As first-line therapy, over 70% use a tyrosinkinase-inhibitor (TKI) / immunotherapy (IO) combination, 20% use an IO/IO combination, and 6% use TKI monotherapy. IO/IO combinations and TKI monotherapies are more frequently applied in outpatient practices. Only a limited number of patients receive second-line therapy, most commonly a TKI monotherapy with Cabozantinib.

Conclusion: The DGFIT survey represents the first systematic collection of data in Germany on the real-world treatment landscape of mRCC and on the implementation of adjuvant immunotherapy in "high-risk" RCC following curative therapy. These real-world data are of great interest for better understanding existing treatment pathways and improving patient care. Moreover, the results highlight that the collection of comprehensive real-world data remains a major challenge and should be further structured and improved in the future.