First-line nivolumab plus cabozantinib versus sunitinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma: final analysis from CheckMate 9ER

The multinational phase 3 CheckMate 9ER trial randomized patients with previously untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) to nivolumab plus cabozantinib (n=323) or sunitinib (n=328). Final analysis with median 5.6 year follow-up has now been published. Progression-free survival, overall survival, objective and complete response rate, and duration of response were better with nivolumab plus cabozantinib compared with sunitinib. Safety and tolerability were manageable and consistent with previous reports. The authors conclude that these results support nivolumab plus cabozantinib as standard of care for previously untreated aRCC.