Background

The phase 3 RECORD-1 trial (NCT00410124) established the efficacy and safety of everolimus in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who progress on sunitinib or sorafenib. In RECORD-1, patients received 10 mg everolimus daily, with dose reduction to 5 mg daily allowed for toxicity. We have developed a model of tumor growth dynamics utilizing serial measurements of the sum of the longest tumor diameters (SLD) from individual RECORD-1 patients to define the dose–response relationship of everolimus.

Results

The model predicts that after 1 year of continuous dosing, the change in SLD of target lesions will be +142.1% ± 98.3%, +22.4% ± 17.2%, and –15.7% ± 11.5% in the average patient treated with placebo, 5 mg everolimus, and 10 mg everolimus, respectively. This nonlinear, mixed-effects modeling approach can be used to describe the dynamics of each individual patient, as well as the overall population. This allows evaluation of how an actual dosing history and individual covariates impact on the observed drug effect, and offers the possibility of predicting clinical observations as a function of time.

Conclusions

In this pharmacodynamic model of tumor response, everolimus more effectively shrinks target lesions in mRCC when dosed 10 mg daily versus 5 mg daily, although a 5-mg dose still shows an antitumor effect. These data support earlier studies that established 10 mg daily as the preferred clinical dose of everolimus, and improve our understanding of the everolimus dose–response relationship.

Background

Sunitinib malate is an oral, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has demonstrated superior efficacy over interferon (IFN)–α in a phase III trial in first-line, metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Herein, we report the results of a phase I dose-finding study of sunitinib in combination with IFN-α as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic RCC.

Patients and Methods

Treatment-naive patients with clear-cell metastatic RCC received sunitinib at a starting dose of 50 mg or 37.5 mg orally once daily in 6-week cycles (schedule 4/2) plus IFN-α at a starting dose of 3 MU subcutaneously 3 times a week, with weekly intrapatient dose escalation to a maximum of 9 MU as tolerated. Patients who did not tolerate either drug received lower doses of either or had dose interruptions.

Results

Twenty-five patients were enrolled; their median age was 64 years (range, 45–77 years). All patients experienced grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events; the most common were neutropenia, fatigue, and thrombocytopenia. After a median of 4 cycles (range, 1–9 cycles), 3 patients (12%) had a partial response, and 20 (80%) had stable disease.

Conclusion

Although reduced starting doses were tolerated (37.5 mg for sunitinib and 3 MU for IFN-α), even these lower doses might not be well tolerated for long-term treatment of patients with meta-static RCC. Based on historical data, sunitinib on schedule 4/2 appears to be more effective as single-agent therapy. Further study of sunitinib plus IFN-α on this schedule is not being pursued in RCC.

A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. There was no evidence of a difference between everolimus and placebo in longitudinal patterns of disease-related symptoms, and little difference between the arms in physical functioning or global quality of life trends. This supports the conclusion that delay in tumor progression demonstrated by everolimus is associated with minimal impact on symptoms, physical functioning, or quality of life, as reported by patients.

Purpose.

A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the patient-reported outcomes.

Methods.

Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive oral everolimus 10 mg once daily or placebo. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Kidney Symptom Index—Disease-Related Symptoms (FKSI-DRS) and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 were administered before randomization and on day 1 of each cycle. The FKSI-DRS and the EORTC QLQ-C30 Physical Functioning and Global Quality of Life scores were the primary endpoints examined. Longitudinal models were used to compare treatment arms. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the impact of missing data assumptions.

Results.

Longitudinal trends for FKSI-DRS scores did not differ by treatment arm. Taking nonignorable missing data into account, there were significant differences between treatment arms in the trend over time for physical functioning and global quality of life, with the everolimus arm exhibiting greater decreases. All three of these measures of health-related quality of life were significantly related to progression-free survival.

Conclusions.

There was no evidence of a difference between everolimus and placebo in longitudinal patterns of disease-related symptoms, and little difference between the arms in physical functioning or global quality of life trends. This supports the conclusion that delay in tumor progression demonstrated by everolimus is associated with minimal impact on symptoms, physical functioning, or quality of life, as reported by patients.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common and invasive adult kidney cancer. The genetic and biological mechanisms that drive metastatic spread of RCC remain largely unknown. We have investigated the molecular signatures and underlying genomic aberrations associated with RCC metastasis, using an approach that combines a human xenograft model, expression profiling of RNA, DNA and microRNA (miRNA), functional verification, and clinical validation. We show that increased metastatic activity is associated with acquisition of a myofibroblast-like signature in both tumor cell lines and in metastatic tumor biopsies. Our results also show that the mesenchymal trait did not provide an invasive advantage to the metastatic tumor cells. We further show that some of the constituents of the mesenchymal signature, including the expression of the well characterized myofibroblastic marker S100A4, are functionally relevant. Epigenetic silencing and miRNA-induced expression changes accounted for the change in expression of a significant number of genes, including S100A4, in the myofibroblastic signature; however, DNA copy number variation did not affect the same set of genes. These findings provide evidence that widespread genetic and epigenetic alterations can lead directly to global deregulation of gene expression and contribute to the development or progression of RCC metastasis culminating in a highly malignant myofibroblast-like cell with a mesenchymal phenotype.

High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell support has been studied in both the salvage and first-line setting in advanced germ cell tumor (GCT) patients with poor-risk features. While early studies reported significant treatment-related mortality, introduction of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, recombinant growth factors and better supportive care have decreased toxicity; and in more recent reports treatment-related deaths are observed in <3% of patients. Two to three cycles of high-dose carboplatin and etoposide is the standard backbone for HDCT, given with or without additional agents including ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel. Three large randomized Phase III trials have failed to show a benefit of HDCT over conventional-dose chemotherapy (CDCT) in the first-line treatment of patients with intermediate- or poor-risk advanced GCT, and to date the routine use of HDCT has been reserved for the salvage setting. Several prognostic models have been developed to help predict outcome of salvage HDCT, the most recent of which applies to both CDCT and HDCT in the initial salvage setting. Patients that relapse after HDCT are usually considered incurable, and additional therapy is provided with palliative intent.

Summary

Sunitinib is associated with a robust objective response rate in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The primary objective of this phase II clinical trial was to assess the overall response rate for sunitinib in patients with papillary metastatic RCC as well as other non-clear cell histologies. A Simon 2-stage design was used to determine the number of papillary metastatic RCC patients for enrollment, and allowed for descriptive response data for other non-clear cell histologies. Twenty-three patients were enrolled, including 8 with papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the remainder with other non-clear cell histologies (unclassified in 5 patients). All patients received 50 mg of oral sunitinib in cycles of 4 weeks followed by 2 weeks of rest (4/2). The trial was stopped early because of slow accrual; no responses were observed in the 8 patients with papillary RCC. In the 22 evaluable patients, best response to sunitinib included a partial response in 1 patient with unclassified RCC, stable disease in 15, and progression in 6. The median progression-free survival was 5.5 months (95% CI, 2.5–7.1) in all 23 patients, and 5.6 months for the 8 papillary patients (95% CI, 1.4–7.1). The robust objective responses sunitinib had produced in clear cell RCC could not be demonstrated in this study comprised of patients with non-clear cell histologies.

Background

Hypertension (HTN) is an on-target effect of the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway inhibitor, sunitinib. We evaluated the association of sunitinib-induced HTN with antitumor efficacy and HTN-associated adverse events in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included pooled efficacy (n = 544) and safety (n = 4917) data from four studies of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who were treated with sunitinib 50 mg/d administered on a 4-week-on 2-week-off schedule (schedule 4/2). Blood pressure (BP) was measured in the clinic on days 1 and 28 of each 6-week cycle. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods; hazard ratios (HRs) for survival were also estimated by a Cox proportional hazards models using HTN as a time-dependent covariate. Efficacy outcomes were compared between patients with and without HTN (maximum systolic BP [SBP] ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP [DBP] ≥90 mm Hg). Adverse events were also compared between patients with and without HTN (mean SBP ≥140 mm Hg or mean DBP ≥90 mm Hg). All P values were two-sided.

Results

Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and sunitinib-induced HTN defined by maximum SBP had better outcomes than those without treatment-induced HTN (objective response rate: 54.8% vs 8.7%; median PFS: 12.5 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.9 to 13.7 vs 2.5 months, 95% CI = 2.3 to 3.8 months; and OS: 30.9 months, 95% CI = 27.9 to 33.7 vs 7.2 months, 95% CI = 5.6 to 10.7 months; P < .001 for all). Similar results were obtained when comparing patients with vs without sunitinib-induced HTN defined by maximum DBP. In a Cox proportional hazards model using HTN as a time-dependent covariate, PFS (HR of disease progression or death = .603, 95% CI = .451 to .805; P < .001) and OS (HR of death = .332, 95% CI = .252 to .436; P < .001) were improved in patients with treatment-induced HTN defined by maximum SBP; OS (HR of death = .585, 95% CI = .463 to .740; P < .001) was improved in patients with treatment-induced HTN defined by maximum DBP, but PFS was not. Few any-cause cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, ocular, and renal adverse events were observed. Rates of adverse events were similar between patients with and without HTN defined by mean SBP; however, hypertensive patients had somewhat more renal adverse events (5% vs 3%; P = .013).

Conclusions

In patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, sunitinib-associated HTN is associated with improved clinical outcomes without clinically significant increases in HTN-associated adverse events, supporting its viability as an efficacy biomarker.

A 70-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma developed progressive liver metastases after 8 weeks of treatment with the multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sunitinib. He then participated in the phase III placebo-controlled clinical trial of the oral mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus, initially randomized to placebo (but had disease progression after 3 months) and crossed over to everolimus at time of unblinding. The patient had stable disease after 8 weeks (two cycles) of everolimus that was maintained until 28 months of therapy, at which time the patient had achieved a partial response. This case illustrates the potential for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, a malignancy with historically poor prognosis, to derive long-term benefit from everolimus when used in a manner consistent with its approved indication (after TKI therapy with sunitinib or sorafenib).

Purpose

Late relapse (LR) of germ cell tumor (GCT) is a well recognized entity associated with poor survival. We report on our experience with LR and determine predictors of survival.

Patients and Methods

From 1990 to 2004, 75 patients were managed for LR of GCT at our institution. Clinical and pathologic parameters were reviewed. Estimates of cancer-specific survival were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess potential predictors of outcome.

Results

The median time to LR was 6.9 years (range, 2.1 to 37.7 years). Overall, 56 patients (75%) had LR in the retroperitoneum, including 25 (93%) of 27 patients initially managed without retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. The 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) was 60% (95% CI, 46% to 71%). Patients who underwent complete surgical resection at time of LR (n = 45) had a 5-year CSS of 79% versus 36% for patients without complete resection (n = 30; P < .0001). The 5-year CSS for chemotherapy-naive patients was significantly greater than patients with a prior history of chemotherapy as part of their initial management (5-year CSS, 93% v 49%, respectively). In multivariable analysis of pretreatment parameters available at the time of LR, the presence of symptoms (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.9) and multifocal disease (HR = 3.0) were associated with an inferior CSS.

Conclusion

The data suggest that meticulous control of the retroperitoneum is critical to prevent LR in the retroperitoneum. In multivariable analysis, patients with a symptomatic presentation and those with multifocal disease have a significantly decreased survival. Survival is greatly improved if complete surgical excision of disease is attained.

Purpose

To evaluate the prognostic roles of metastasectomy and an established risk stratification system for patients experiencing a disease recurrence following nephrectomy for non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 129 patients with localized RCC treated by partial or radical nephrectomy and subsequently diagnosed with disease recurrence. At the time of recurrence, a previously validated risk score based on Karnofsky performance status, interval from nephrectomy, and serum hemoglobin, calcium, and lactate dehydrogenase levels was used to categorize patients as favorable, intermediate, or poor-risk. Survival from recurrence was assessed based on risk categorization and metastasectomy

Results

Median time from nephrectomy to recurrence was 16 months. Median and two-year survival rates were strongly associated with the risk score (favorable-risk: 73 months and 81%; intermediate-risk: 28 months and 54%; poor-risk: 6 months and 11%; log-rank<0.001). Metastasectomy was performed in 44 patients (34%) and found to be of clinical benefit across the various risk categories (interaction analysis, p=0.8). On multivariate analysis, a better risk category (p<0.001) and undergoing a metastasectomy (p<0.001) were each independently associated with a more favorable survival and when combined provided six different risk categories with an estimated two-year survival ranging from 0 – 93%.

Conclusions

The clinical course for patients with an RCC recurrence following nephrectomy can be variable and is independently impacted by an objectively obtained risk score and whether the patient undergoes a metastasectomy.

In a randomized phase III trial, sunitinib was associated with significantly superior progression-free survival when compared with interferon alfa as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This article investigates whether baseline quality of life and demographic and clinical variables were predictive for progression-free survival.

Purpose:

In a randomized phase III trial, sunitinib was associated with significantly superior progression-free survival (PFS) when compared with interferon alfa (IFN-α) as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We investigated whether baseline quality-of-life (QOL) and demographic and clinical variables were predictive for PFS.

Methods:

Patients were randomly assigned to receive sunitinib or IFN-α at a ratio of one to one. QOL was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General scale (FACT-G), the FACT–Kidney Symptom Index–Disease-Related Symptoms subscale (FKSI-DRS), and the EuroQol (EQ) Group's visual analog scale (EQ-VAS; Rotterdam, the Netherlands). In all scales, higher scores indicate better QOL or fewer symptoms. Controlling for other baseline demographic and clinical variables, Cox proportional hazards models—one for each QOL variable—were used to test if difference in baseline QOL scores predicted PFS.

Results:

The superior treatment effect on PFS of sunitinib versus IFN-α remained robust (hazard ratio [HR], 0.34, 0.33, and 0.33 for each model, respectively; P < .0001 for each model). Higher baseline FACT-G, FKSI-DRS, and EQ-VAS scores were associated with longer PFS (HR, 0.93, 0.89, and 0.91, respectively; P ≤ .001, P ≤ .001, and P = .008, respectively). Presence of liver metastases (HR, 1.59 to 1.71; P = .0009 to .0044) and number of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC; New York, NY) risk factors (HR, 1.52 to 1.60; P < .0001 for each) were significant negative predictors of PFS, independent of other variables.

Conclusion:

Sunitinib conferred significantly superior PFS compared with IFN-α, irrespective of baseline QOL or clinical characteristics. Higher baseline QOL correlated with longer PFS, whereas the presence of liver metastases and more MSKCC risk factors at baseline correlated with shorter PFS. This remains an area for future study.

Background

Our objective was to test a brief, symptom index for advanced renal cell carcinoma, a disease affecting over 38,000 Americans each year and often diagnosed in late stages.

Methods

We conducted secondary data analyses on patient-reported outcomes of 209 metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients participating in a Phase III clinical trial. Patient-reported outcomes, obtained from the FACT-Biological Response Modifier (FACT-BRM) scale, were available at baseline, 2, and 8 weeks. We analyzed data from eight FACT-BRM items previously identified by clinical experts to represent the most important symptoms of advanced renal cell carcinoma. Items comprising this index assess nausea, pain, appetite, perceived sickness, fatigue and weakness, with higher scores indicating fewer symptoms. We determined reliability and validity of the index and estimated a minimally important difference.

Results

The index had excellent internal reliability at all three time points (alphas ≥ 0.83). Baseline scores were able to discriminate patients across Karnofsky performance status, number of metastatic sites, and risk group categories (ps < .01). Mean index scores declined over time likely indicative of the toxic nature of the administered treatments. Distribution- and anchor-based methods converged on a minimally important difference estimate of 2 to 3 points.

Conclusion

The 8-item index of patient-reported symptoms of renal cell carcinoma appears to be a psychometrically sound measure. It is a brief, reliable, and valid measure that can easily be adapted for use in clinical trials and observational studies.

Background

Sunitinib malate (SUTENT®) is an oral, multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, approved multinationally for the treatment of advanced RCC and of imatinib-resistant or – intolerant GIST. The purpose of this study was to explore potential biomarkers of sunitinib pharmacological activity via serial assessment of plasma levels of four soluble proteins from patients in a phase II study of advanced RCC: VEGF, soluble VEGFR-2 (sVEGFR-2), placenta growth factor (PlGF), and a novel soluble variant of VEGFR-3 (sVEGFR-3).

Methods

Sunitinib was administered at 50 mg/day on a 4/2 schedule (4 weeks on treatment, 2 weeks off treatment) to 63 patients with metastatic RCC after failure of first-line cytokine therapy. Predose plasma samples were collected on days 1 and 28 of each cycle and analyzed via ELISA.

Results

At the end of cycle 1, VEGF and PlGF levels increased >3-fold (relative to baseline) in 24/54 (44%) and 22/55 (40%) cases, respectively (P < 0.001). sVEGFR-2 levels decreased ≥ 30% in 50/55 (91%) cases and ≥ 20% in all cases (P < 0.001) during cycle 1, while sVEGFR-3 levels were decreased ≥ 30% in 48 of 55 cases (87%), and ≥ 20% in all but 2 cases. These levels tended to return to near-baseline after 2 weeks off treatment, indicating that these effects were dependent on drug exposure. Overall, significantly larger changes in VEGF, sVEGFR-2, and sVEGFR-3 levels were observed in patients exhibiting objective tumor response compared with those exhibiting stable disease or disease progression (P < 0.05 for each analyte; analysis not done for PlGF).

Conclusion

Sunitinib treatment in advanced RCC patients leads to modulation of plasma levels of circulating proteins involved in VEGF signaling, including soluble forms of two VEGF receptors. This panel of proteins may be of value as biomarkers of the pharmacological and clinical activity of sunitinib in RCC, and of angiogenic processes in cancer and other diseases.