Bempegaldesleukin plus nivolumab as first-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combinations have expanded the treatment options for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, tolerability remains challenging. The multicenter phase 1-2 PIVOT-02 study evaluates the combination of the immunostimulatory interleukin-2 cytokine prodrug bempegaldesleukin (BEMPEG) plus nivolumab (NIVO) as first-line treatment for locally advanced or metatatic malignancies. The RCC cohort of the study showed preliminary antitumor activity of the BEMPEG-NIVO combination in patients with advanced clear-cell RCC, with promising survival outcomes. The combination was well tolerated.