Phase 2 trial of cabozantinib plus nivolumab for advanced non-clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

The combination of cabozantinib plus nivolumab has demonstrated improved response rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival in comparison to sunitinib in patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A phase 2 study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) evaluated the combination of cabozantinib and nivolumab for advanced non-clear-cell RCC. The combination was well-tolerated, and had promising activity in the cohort of patients with papillary, unclassified, or translocation-associated RCC. The activity in the cohort of patients with chromophobe RCC was limited. Objective responses were seen in 10 of 12 patients with either NF2 or FH mutations. The authors conclude that genomic findings in non-clear-cell RCC warrant further study as predictors of response.