Real-world Treatment Sequencing and Outcomes With Cabozantinib After First-line Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-based Combination Therapy For Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: CARINA Study Results

Introduction

Real-world data are limited on treatment sequencing and outcomes after first-line (1L) immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-based combination treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC).

Patients and Methods

In this real-world, UK-based, retrospective study (CARINA; NCT04957160), data were obtained from hospital and electronic prescribing records. Patients were aged ≥ 18 years at aRCC diagnosis and had received 1L CPI–CPI or tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)–CPI combination therapy before second-line (2L) therapy including cabozantinib. We describe treatment outcomes including 1L and 2L durations of treatment (DoT) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Data from April 2015 to June 2022 were collected on 281 patients from nine UK centres. Median 1L DoT was 2.3 months for CPI–CPI therapy (n = 171) and 5.0 months for TKI–CPI therapy (n = 58). After 1L CPI–CPI or TKI–CPI therapy, median 2L DoT was 5.8 versus 4.2 months, respectively, for cabozantinib (n = 163), and 3.8 versus 2.4 months for other therapies (n = 118); median 2L OS was 15.2 and 15.3 months, respectively, for cabozantinib, and 14.6 and 24.2 months for other therapies.

Conclusion

DoT for 2L treatment was numerically better for cabozantinib than for other therapies, and after 1L CPI–CPI therapy than after 1L TKI–CPI therapy. Median OS was similar for 2L cabozantinib and other 2L therapies, and median OS for 2L cabozantinib was similar after both 1L therapy types. These results demonstrate the antitumour effect of 2L therapies, including cabozantinib, after 1L CPI-based combination treatment, regardless of whether 1L CPI–CPI or TKI–CPI therapy is used.