Survival outcomes and molecular drivers of testicular cancer in hispanic men.

OBJECTIVE: To examine survival outcomes and molecular drivers in testis cancer among Hispanic men using a large national sample and molecular database. METHODS: We reviewed the SEER registry for testicular cancer from 2000 to 2020. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity and cancer-specific survival (CSS) by tumor type (seminoma vs. nonseminomatous germ cell tumors [NSGCT]). All models were adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and treatment variables. We accessed somatic mutations for testicular cancers through AACR Project GENIE v13.1 and compared mutational frequencies by ethnicity. RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 43,709 patients (23.3% Hispanic) with median follow-up 106 months (interquartile range: 45-172). Compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (NWH), Hispanics presented at a younger age but with more advanced disease. Hispanics experienced worse CSS for NSGCT (HR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.5-2.0, P < 0.01) but not seminoma. Somatic mutation data was available for 699 patients. KIT and KRAS mutations occurred in 24.2% and 16.9% of seminoma patients (n = 178), respectively. TP53 and KRAS mutations occurred in 12.1% and 7.9% of NSGCT patients (n = 521), respectively. No differences in mutational frequencies were observed between ethnic groups. There was significant heterogeneity in primary ancestral group for Hispanic patients with available data (n = 53); 14 (26.4%) patients had primary Native American ancestry and 30 (56.6%) had primary European ancestry. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer-specific survival is worse for Hispanic men with non-seminoma of the testicle. Somatic mutation analysis suggests no differences by ethnicity, though genetic ancestry is heterogeneous among patients identifying as Hispanic.

High-Grade, Nonsarcomatoid Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Series of 22 Cases With Novel Molecular Features on a Subset.

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is the third most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma and typically exhibits indolent behavior, though a rare subset can exhibit high-grade morphologic features and is associated with a poor prognosis. Although there are limited data on the molecular characteristics of metastatic and sarcomatoid ChRCC, the molecular features of high-grade, nonsarcomatoid ChRCC remain unexplored. Herein, we characterize 22 cases of ChRCC with high-grade, nonsarcomatoid components. High-grade ChRCC frequently demonstrated advanced stage at diagnosis (64% ≥pT3a or N1), with regions of extrarenal extension, nodal metastases, and vascular invasion consisting solely of high-grade ChRCC morphologically. We performed spatially guided panel-based DNA sequencing on 11 cases comparing high-grade and low-grade regions (n = 22 samples). We identified recurring somatic alterations emblematic of ChRCC, including deletions of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, 17, and 21 in 91% (10/11) of cases and recurring mutations in TP53 (81.8%, n = 9/11) and PTEN (36.4%, n = 4/11). Notably, although PTEN and TP53 alterations were found in both high-grade and low-grade regions, private mutations were identified in 3 cases, indicating convergent evolution. Finally, we identified recurring RB1 mutations in 27% (n = 3) of high-grade regions leading to selective protein loss by immunohistochemistry not observed in adjacent low-grade regions. This finding was confirmed in The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort where 2 of 66 cases contained RB1 mutations and demonstrated unequivocal high-grade, nonsarcomatoid morphology. We also detected multiple chromosomal gains confined to the high-grade regions, consistent with imbalanced chromosome duplication. These findings broaden our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of ChRCC and suggest that subclonal RB1 mutations can drive the evolution to high-grade, nonsarcomatoid ChRCC.

Socioeconomic determinants of racial disparities in survival outcomes among patients with renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Racially driven outcomes in cancer are challenging to study. Studies evaluating the impact of race in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) outcomes are inconsistent and unable to disentangle socioeconomic disparities from inherent biological differences. We therefore seek to investigate socioeconomic determinants of racial disparities with respect to overall survival (OS) when comparing Black and White patients with RCC. METHODS: We queried the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for patients diagnosed with RCC between 2004 and 2017 with complete clinicodemographic data. Patients were examined across various stages (all, cT1aN0M0, and cM1) and subtypes (all, clear cell, or papillary). We performed Cox proportional hazards regression with adjustment for socioeconomic and disease factors. RESULTS: There were 386,589 patients with RCC, of whom 46,507 (12.0%) were Black. Black patients were generally younger, had more comorbid conditions, less likely to be insured, in a lower income quartile, had lower rates of high school completion, were more likely to have papillary RCC histology, and more likely to be diagnosed at a lower stage of RCC than their white counterparts. By stage, Black patients demonstrated a 16% (any stage), 22.5% (small renal mass [SRM]), and 15% (metastatic) higher risk of mortality than White patients. Survival differences were also evident in histology-specific subanalyses. Socioeconomic factors played a larger role in predicting OS among patients with SRMs than in patients with metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Black patients with RCC demonstrate worse survival outcomes compared to White patients across all stages. Socioeconomic disparities between races play a significant role in influencing survival in RCC.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the pancreas and other sites-a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is a heterogenous disease with poor 5-year overall survival (OS) at 14%. Patients with mRCC to endocrine organs historically have prolonged OS. Pancreatic metastases are uncommon overall, with mRCC being the most common etiology of pancreatic metastases. In this study, we report the long-term outcomes of patients with mRCC to the pancreas in two separate cohorts. Methods: We performed a multicenter, international retrospective cohort study of patients with mRCC to the pancreas at 15 academic centers. Cohort 1 included 91 patients with oligometastatic disease to the pancreas. Cohort 2 included 229 patients with multiples organ sites of metastases including the pancreas. The primary endpoint for Cohorts 1 and 2 was median OS from time of metastatic disease in the pancreas until death or last follow up. Findings: In Cohort 1, the median OS (mOS) was 121 months with a median follow up time of 42 months. Patients who underwent surgical resection of oligometastatic disease had mOS of 100 months with a median follow-up time of 52.5 months. The mOS for patients treated with systemic therapy was not reached. In Cohort 2, the mOS was 90.77 months. Patients treated with first-line (1L) VEGFR therapy had mOS of 90.77 months; patients treated with IL immunotherapy (IO) had mOS of 92 months; patients on 1L combination VEGFR/IO had mOS of 74.9 months. Interpretations: This is the largest retrospective cohort of mRCC involving the pancreas. We confirmed the previously reported long-term outcomes in patients with oligometastatic pancreas disease and demonstrated prolonged survival in patients with multiple RCC metastases that included the pancreas. In this retrospective study with heterogeneous population treated over 2 decades, mOS was similar when stratified by first-line therapy. Future research will be needed to determine whether mRCC patients with pancreatic metastases require a different initial treatment strategy. Funding: Statistical analyses for this study were supported in part by the University of Colorado Cancer Center Support Grant from the NIH/NCI, P30CA046934-30.

Life-threatening hemoptysis in patients with metastatic kidney cancer.

Hemoptysis is a complication of intrathoracic tumors, both primary and metastatic, and the risk may be increased by procedural interventions as well as Stereotactic Ablative Radiation (SAbR). The risk of hemoptysis with SAbR for lung cancer is well characterized, but there is a paucity of data about intrathoracic metastases. Here, we sought to evaluate the incidence of life-threatening/fatal hemoptysis (LTH) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) chest metastases with a focus on SAbR. We systematically evaluated patients with RCC at UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) Kidney Cancer Program (KCP) from July 2005 to March 2020. We queried Kidney Cancer Explorer (KCE), a data portal with clinical, pathological, and experimental genomic data. Patients were included in the study based on mention of "hemoptysis" in clinical documentation, if they had a previous bronchoscopy, or had undergone SAbR to any site within the chest. Two hundred and thirty four patients met query criteria and their records were individually reviewed. We identified 10 patients who developed LTH. Of these, 4 had LTH as an immediate procedural complication whilst the remaining 6 had prior SAbR to ultra-central (UC; abutting the central bronchial tree) metastases. These 6 patients had a total of 10 lung lesions irradiated (UC, 8; central 1, peripheral 1), with a median total cumulative SAbR dose of 38 Gray (Gy/ lesion) (range: 25-50 Gy). Other risk factors included intrathoracic disease progression (n = 4, 67%), concurrent anticoagulant therapy (n = 1, 17%) and concurrent systemic therapy (n = 4, 67%). Median time to LTH from first SAbR was 26 months (range: 8-61 months). Considering that 130 patients received SAbR to a chest lesion during the study period, the overall incidence of LTH following SAbR was 4.6% (6/130). The patient population that received SAbR (n = 130) was at particularly high risk for complications, with 67 (52%) having two or more chest metastaes treated, and 29 (22%) receiving SAbR to three or more lesions. Overall, the risk of LTH following SAbR to a central or UC lesion was 10.5% (6/57). In conclusion, SAbR of RCC metastases located near the central bronchial tree may increase the risk of LTH.

Erratum to: Extended Disease Control with Unconventional Cabozantinib Dose Increase in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3233/KCA-210117.].

Kidney Cancer Updates from the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago.

This report highlights key research from the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, with a focus on clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and non-clear cell RCC (nccRCC) across clinical trials and translational studies. Essential updates in the metastatic ccRCC clinical space encompass results from the CONTACT-03 study, which evaluated an immunotherapy containing regimen for patients who progressed on an initial immunotherapy containing regimen, alongside updated results from the KEYNOTE-426 and CLEAR trials. In the metastatic nccRCC domain, we review clinical trials of combination immunotherapies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Additionally, we highlight exciting early-phase studies exploring novel targets in RCC and engineered T-cell methodologies. Finally, we summarize notable efforts in translational research, emphasizing biomarker investigations to determine predictors of immunotherapy response, the application of molecular classifiers in RCC, and the relationship between the microbiome and RCC. There were many important RCC related abstracts presented at this year's ASCO conference, attesting to the continued momentum of research in the field. All conference materials, including abstracts and presentations, can be accessed online through the conference website.

ImmunoPET Imaging with 89Zr-Labeled Atezolizumab Enables In Vivo Evaluation of PD-L1 in Tumorgraft Models of Renal Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand (PD-1/PD-L1) have transformed the treatment paradigm for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, response rates to ICIs as single agents or in combination vary widely and predictive biomarkers are lacking. Possibly related to the heterogeneity and dynamic nature of PD-L1 expression, tissue-based methods have shown limited value. Immuno-positron emission tomography (immunoPET) may enable noninvasive, comprehensive, and real-time PD-L1 detection. Herein, we systematically examined the performance of immunoPET for PD-L1 detection relative to IHC in an RCC patient-derived tumorgraft (TG) platform. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Eight independent RCC TGs with a wide range of PD-L1 expression (0%-85%) were evaluated by immunoPET. Uptake of 89Zr-labeled atezolizumab ([89Zr]Zr-DFO-ATZ) was compared with PD-L1 expression in tumors by IHC through double-blind analyses. Clinical outcomes of ICI-treated patients whose TGs were examined were analyzed to evaluate the clinical role of immunoPET in RCC. RESULTS: ImmunoPET with [89Zr]Zr-DFO-ATZ (day 6/7 postinjection) revealed a statistically significant association with PD-L1 IHC assays (P = 0.0014; correlation ρXY = 0.78). Furthermore, immunoPET can be used to assess the heterogeneous distribution of PD-L1 expression. Finally, studies in the corresponding patients (n = 4) suggest that PD-L1 signal may influence ICI responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: ImmunoPET with [89Zr]Zr-DFO-ATZ may enable a thorough and dynamic assessment of PD-L1 across sites of disease. The power of immunoPET to predict ICI response in RCC is being explored in an ongoing clinical trial (NCT04006522).

An oncogenic JMJD6-DGAT1 axis tunes the epigenetic regulation of lipid droplet formation in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Characterized by intracellular lipid droplet accumulation, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is resistant to cytotoxic chemotherapy and is a lethal disease. Through an unbiased siRNA screen of 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG)-dependent enzymes, which play a critical role in tumorigenesis, we identified Jumonji domain-containing 6 (JMJD6) as an essential gene for ccRCC tumor development. The downregulation of JMJD6 abolished ccRCC colony formation in vitro and inhibited orthotopic tumor growth in vivo. Integrated ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses uncovered diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) as a critical JMJD6 effector. Mechanistically, JMJD6 interacted with RBM39 and co-occupied DGAT1 gene promoter with H3K4me3 to induce DGAT1 expression. JMJD6 silencing reduced DGAT1, leading to decreased lipid droplet formation and tumorigenesis. The pharmacological inhibition (or depletion) of DGAT1 inhibited lipid droplet formation in vitro and ccRCC tumorigenesis in vivo. Thus, the JMJD6-DGAT1 axis represents a potential new therapeutic target for ccRCC.

Chronic Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Colitis in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a standard of care in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) but are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs) including colitis. Growing evidence suggests proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Given the pathophysiological overlap between IBD and ICI colitis, we sought to evaluate the relationship between PPI use and ICI colitis in mRCC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of adult patients who received ICI therapy for mRCC between 2015 and 2018 at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center affiliated hospitals. Clinical characteristics, oncological outcomes, ICI colitis details, and PPI use details were collected by manual chart review. The diagnosis of ICI colitis was made via biopsy when available, or by clinical criteria (symptoms and response to immunosuppressive therapy) when biopsy specimens were unavailable or inconclusive. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the potential contribution of PPIs to ICI colitis. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients received ICI therapy for mRCC, of which 16 (9.1%) were diagnosed with ICI colitis. Patients with ICI colitis presented with elevated stool lactoferritin and calprotectin and a wide range of endoscopic and histologic findings. There were no significant differences between patients with and without ICI colitis in age, gender, medical comorbidities, RCC history, and overall survival. However, exposure to ipilimumab and PPI use were more frequently observed in patients with ICI colitis than those without. In univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, exposure to ipilimumab and chronic use of PPIs > 8 weeks were significantly associated with ICI colitis. CONCLUSION: In addition to ipilimumab use, chronic use of PPIs may be associated with ICI colitis in patients with mRCC.

Molecular Genetic Determinants of Shorter Time on Active Surveillance in a Prospective Phase 2 Clinical Trial in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Active surveillance (AS) may be used in the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), but consensus regarding its application is lacking. We report an exploratory analysis of prospectively collected specimens prespecified in the only modern clinical trial evaluating AS in mRCC. Whole-exome and RNA sequencing were performed for patients providing consent to identify putative biomarkers associated with time on AS (TAS), the primary endpoint. Log-rank tests and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models were used for analyses. Patients with mutations in either TP53 or SMARCA4 tumor suppressor genes had shorter TAS (7.5 vs 14.2 mo; log-rank p = 0.004). While these patients exhibited features of aggressive disease clinically, the two-gene model was independently predictive in multivariable analyses (hazard ratio 3.30, 95% confidence interval 1.07-10.18; p = 0.038). In conclusion, insight into the underlying RCC biology improves patient selection for AS. If validated, this two-gene model could help in stratifying patients with mRCC and identifying those who are poor candidates for AS. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study, we analyzed tumors from patients with metastatic kidney cancer enrolled in a clinical trial of imaging surveillance. We found that tumors with mutations in either the TP53 or SMARCA4 gene progressed faster than tumors without these mutations. Thus, patients harboring mutations in these genes may not be good candidates for AS.

Extended disease control with unconventional cabozantinib dose increase in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Cabozantinib is among the most potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) FDA-approved for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Effective treatments after progression on cabozantinib salvage therapy are limited. Dose escalation for other TKIs has been shown to afford added disease control. Objective: We sought to evaluate whether dose escalation of cabozantinib (Cabometyx®) from conventional doses in select patients with limited treatment options offered additional disease control. We asked how cabozantinib dose increases may affect circulating drug levels. Methods: We identified patients with mRCC at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center who were treated with cabozantinib dose escalation to 80 mg after progressing on conventional cabozantinib 60 mg. We then queried leading kidney cancer investigators across the world to identify additional patients. Finally, we reviewed pharmacokinetic (PK) data to assess how higher doses impacted circulating levels by comparison to other formulations (Cometriq® capsules). Results: We report six patients treated at two different institutions with cabozantinib-responsive disease and good tolerability, where cabozantinib was dose escalated (typically to 80 mg, but as high as 120 mg) after progression on 60 mg, a strategy that resulted in added disease control (median duration, 14 months; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 8 - Not Estimable[NE]). Four patients (66.7%) had disease control lasting at least 1 year. No grade III/IV adverse events were identified in this small, select, cohort. A comparison of PK data to FDA-approved cabozantinib 140 mg capsules suggest that cabozantinib 80 mg tablets results in comparable exposures. Conclusions: mRCC patients with cabozantinib responsive disease and reasonable tolerability may benefit from dose escalation at progression.

A renal cell carcinoma tumorgraft platform to advance precision medicine.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) encompasses a heterogenous group of tumors, but representative preclinical models are lacking. We previously showed that patient-derived tumorgraft (TG) models recapitulate the biology and treatment responsiveness. Through systematic orthotopic implantation of tumor samples from 926 ethnically diverse individuals into non-obese diabetic (NOD)/severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, we generate a resource comprising 172 independently derived, stably engrafted TG lines from 148 individuals. TG lines are characterized histologically and genomically (whole-exome [n = 97] and RNA [n = 102] sequencing). The platform features a variety of histological and oncogenotypes, including TCGA clades further corroborated through orthogonal metabolomic analyses. We illustrate how it enables a deeper understanding of RCC biology; enables the development of tissue- and imaging-based molecular probes; and supports advances in drug development.

Deciphering Intratumoral Molecular Heterogeneity in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma with a Radiogenomics Platform.

PURPOSE: Intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) challenges the molecular characterization of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and is a confounding factor for therapy selection. Most approaches to evaluate ITH are limited by two-dimensional ex vivo tissue analyses. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) can noninvasively assess the spatial landscape of entire tumors in their natural milieu. To assess the potential of DCE-MRI, we developed a vertically integrated radiogenomics colocalization approach for multi-region tissue acquisition and analyses. We investigated the potential of spatial imaging features to predict molecular subtypes using histopathologic and transcriptome correlatives. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We report the results of a prospective study of 49 patients with ccRCC who underwent DCE-MRI prior to nephrectomy. Surgical specimens were sectioned to match the MRI acquisition plane. RNA sequencing data from multi-region tumor sampling (80 samples) were correlated with percent enhancement on DCE-MRI in spatially colocalized regions of the tumor. Independently, we evaluated clinical applicability of our findings in 19 patients with metastatic RCC (39 metastases) treated with first-line antiangiogenic drugs or checkpoint inhibitors. RESULTS: DCE-MRI identified tumor features associated with angiogenesis and inflammation, which differed within and across tumors, and likely contribute to the efficacy of antiangiogenic drugs and immunotherapies. Our vertically integrated analyses show that angiogenesis and inflammation frequently coexist and spatially anti-correlate in the same tumor. Furthermore, MRI contrast enhancement identifies phenotypes with better response to antiangiogenic therapy among patients with metastatic RCC. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have important implications for decision models based on biopsy samples and highlight the potential of more comprehensive imaging-based approaches.

Complement as Prognostic Biomarker and Potential Therapeutic Target in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Preclinical studies demonstrated that complement promotes tumor growth. Therefore, we sought to determine the best target for complement-based therapy among common human malignancies. High expression of 11 complement genes was linked to unfavorable prognosis in renal cell carcinoma. Complement protein expression or deposition was observed mainly in stroma, leukocytes, and tumor vasculature, corresponding to a role of complement in regulating the tumor microenvironment. Complement abundance in tumors correlated with a high nuclear grade. Complement genes clustered within an aggressive inflammatory subtype of renal cancer characterized by poor prognosis, markers of T cell dysfunction, and alternatively activated macrophages. Plasma levels of complement proteins correlated with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Corroborating human data, complement deficiencies and blockade reduced tumor growth by enhancing antitumor immunity and seemingly reducing angiogenesis in a mouse model of kidney cancer resistant to PD-1 blockade. Overall, this study implicates complement in the immune landscape of renal cell carcinoma, and notwithstanding cohort size and preclinical model limitations, the data suggest that tumors resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors might be suitable targets for complement-based therapy.

Acute interstitial nephritis, a potential predictor of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as nivolumab and ipilimumab have improved outcomes in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients, but they are also associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs). As observed in melanoma, we hypothesized that patients experiencing an autoimmune reaction directed against the tissue of origin may be more likely to benefit from ICI. Specifically, we asked whether patients with immune-related acute interstitial nephritis (irAIN) exhibited improved outcomes. Using Kidney Cancer Explorer (KCE), a data portal and i2b2-based central database for clinical, pathological and experimental genetic data, we systematically identified all patients with mRCC at UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) from 2014-2018 who received at least one dose of ICI. More recent cases were identified through a provider query. We extracted creatinine (Cr) values at baseline and over the entirety of each patient ICI treatment course using KCE. Patients with ≥ 1.5-fold Cr increase over baseline were investigated. The likelihood of irAIN was determined based on the work-up (biopsy, if available), or by clinical criteria (timing of kidney injury, exclusion of other etiologies, treatment with immunosuppressants and response). We identified 177 mRCC patients who received at least one dose of ICI, 36 of whom had ≥ 1.5-fold increase in Cr over baseline while on treatment. Of those, two had biopsy-proven irAIN and one was clinically diagnosed, resulting in an incidence of 1.7%. One additional biopsy-proven case past 2018 was identified through a provider query, for a total of four patients. Two received combination nivolumab and ipilimumab in the first line, whereas the remaining received nivolumab after first line therapy. irAIN onset ranged from 1.5 to 12 months. All four patients stopped ICI with recovery of renal function, at least partially, three after receiving systemic steroids. Notably, all four patients had a deep response. In conclusion, irAIN is a rare event, but it may portend a higher likelihood of response. One possible explanation is antigenic overlap between normal renal tubular cells and tumor cells.

The von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Gene: Implications and Therapeutic Opportunities.

The discovery of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene marked a milestone in our understanding of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) pathogenesis. VHL inactivation is not only a defining feature of ccRCC, but also the initiating event. Herein, we discuss canonical and noncanonical pVHL functions, as well as breakthroughs shaping our understanding of ccRCC evolution and evolutionary subtypes. We conclude by presenting evolving strategies to therapeutically exploit effector mechanisms downstream of pVHL.

Pathologic response and surgical outcomes in patients undergoing nephrectomy following receipt of immune checkpoint inhibitors for renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pathologic response, safety, and feasibility of nephrectomy following receipt of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: Patients who underwent nephrectomy for RCC after exposure to nivolumab monotherapy or combination ipilimumab/nivolumab were reviewed. Primary surgical outcomes included operative time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, and complication rates. Pathologic response in the primary and metastatic sites constituted secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Eleven nephrectomies (10 radical, 1 partial) were performed in 10 patients after ICI with median postoperative follow-up 180 days. Six patients received 1 to 4 cycles of ipilimumab/nivolumab, while 5 received 2 to 12 infusions of nivolumab preoperatively. Five surgeries were performed laparoscopically, and 4 patients underwent concomitant thrombectomy. One patient exhibited complete response (pT0) to ICI, and 3/4 patients who underwent metastasectomy for hepatic, pulmonary, or adrenal lesions exhibited no detectable malignancy in any of the metastases resected. No patients experienced any major intraoperative complications, and all surgical margins were negative. Median OT, EBL, and LOS were 180 minutes, 100 ml, and 4 days, respectively. Four patients experienced a complication, including 3 that were addressed with interventional radiology procedures. One patient died of progressive disease >3 months after surgery, and 1 patient succumbed to pulmonary embolism complicated by sepsis. No complications or readmissions were noted in 6 patients. CONCLUSION: Nephrectomy following ICI for RCC is safe and technically feasible with favorable surgical outcomes and pathologic response. Timing of the nephrectomy relative to checkpoint dosing did not seem to impact outcome. Biopsies of lesions responding radiographically to ICI may warrant attention prior to surgical excision.