Metastasis-directed radiotherapy without systemic therapy for oligometastatic clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma: primary efficacy analysis of a single-arm, single-centre, phase 2 trial

Background

Select patients with metastatic clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma can be treated without systemic therapy, yet few studies have explored this population. We investigated the efficacy of metastasis-directed therapy without systemic therapy in oligometastatic clear-cell renal-cell carincoma.

Methods

This investigator-initiated single-arm, phase 2 trial enrolled patients aged 18 years or older with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–2, histologically confirmed clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma, and one to five metastases. Patients remained off systemic therapy and underwent metastasis-directed therapy to all disease sites, with additional metastasis-directed therapy for limited progression. Co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) in the per-protocol population (patients who received radiation to at least one metastatic lesion during their initial local treatment) and systemic therapy-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. Progression-free survival was defined as the interval from enrolment to the first instance of disease progression, according to RECIST 1.1, or clinical progression, or death from any cause. Systemic therapy-free survival was defined as time from enrolment to initiation of systemic therapy or death from clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma. A prespecified 24-month median systemic therapy-free survival was the threshold for success. Safety was analysed in the per-protocol population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03575611, and is closed to new patient enrolment.

Findings

Between July 13, 2018, and May 2, 2023, 121 patients were enrolled and included in the intention-to-treat population, of whom 120 received at least one round of definitive radiotherapy and were included in the per-protocol and safety populations. Median follow-up time for the 121 enrolled patients was 36·3 months (IQR 26·5–51·1). Median progression-free survival was 17·7 months (95% CI 14·9–22·4), and median systemic therapy-free survival time was 34·0 months (28·3–54·1). The median and lower bound of 95% CI of the median systemic therapy-free survival time exceeded the prespecified 24-month target. Eight (7%) of 120 patients had grade 3–4 adverse events at least possibly attributable to metastasis-directed therapy. The most common grade 3 event was pain near the treatment site (four events). The single grade 4 event was hyperglycaemia. There were no treatment-related deaths.

Interpretation

Select patients with oligometastatic disease can be managed with serial metastasis-directed therapy with prolonged time off systemic therapy, favourable progression-free survival, and limited adverse events.

Funding

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, US National Cancer Institute, and Myriad Genetics.