Delayed cytoreductive nephrectomy in adults with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and vena cava tumor thrombus treated with immunotherapy-based neoadjuvant therapy: A systematic review

Introduction

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) invades the inferior vena cava (IVC) in 4%–10% of cases, increasing the risk of surgical complications that affect oncological outcomes.

Materials and methods

The research question was defined using the PICOST acronym. An exhaustive search, material selection, and data extraction were conducted in duplicate and independently. Original articles were included on patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC) with thrombus in the IVC, treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors with or without tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN). Studies involving patients with thrombi localized solely to the renal artery or atrium were excluded.

Results

A total of 17 articles were included: one retrospective cohort, five retrospective case series, and 11 retrospective case reports. In total, 32 patients were analyzed; 10 were excluded due to the absence of metastases. In most cases, the size of the primary tumor decreased. Regarding the thrombus in the IVC, based on the level, out of 22 patients, 7 remained unchanged, 13 showed a reduction (9 by one level, 3 by two levels, and 1 by three levels), and one showed an increase. In another case, the magnitude of the reduction in thrombus size or level was not specified. Tumor thrombus size decreased even in cases where the level remained unchanged.

Conclusions

Patients with mRCC and thrombus in the IVC may benefit from neoadjuvant treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, with or without TKIs, and delayed cytoreductive nephrectomy.