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Background There remains a paucity of data regarding the efficacy of immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) combinations ± vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeted therapy (TT) in translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC). Methods This is a retrospective study of patients with advanced tRCC treated with ICT combinations at 11 centers in the US, France, and Belgium. Only cases with confirmed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were included. Objective response rates (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed by RECIST, and overall survival (OS) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods. Results There were 29 patients identified with median age of 38 (21-70) years, and F:M ratio 0.9:1. FISH revealed TFE3 and TFEB translocations in 22 and 7 patients, respectively. Dual ICT and ICT + VEGF TT were used in 18 and 11 patients, respectively. Seventeen (59%) patients received ICT combinations as first-line therapy. ORR was 1/18 (5.5%) for dual ICT and 4/11 (36%) for ICT + VEGF TT. At a median follow-up of 12.9 months, median PFS was 2.8 and 5.4 months in the dual ICT and ICT + VEGF TT groups, respectively. Median OS from metastatic disease was 17.8 and 30.7 months in the dual ICT and ICT + VEGF TT groups, respectively. Conclusion In this retrospective study of advanced tRCC, limited response and survival were seen after frontline dual ICT combination therapy, while ICT + VEGF TT therapy offered some efficacy. Due to the heterogeneity of tRCC, insights into the biological underpinnings are necessary to develop more effective therapies.

Supplementary Figures 1-15

The complement system plays a complex role in cancer. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), local production of complement proteins drives tumor progression, but the mechanisms by which they do this are poorly understood. We found that complement activation, as reflected by high plasma C4d or as C4d deposits at the tumor site, was associated with poor prognosis in two cohorts of patients with ccRCC. High expression of the C4-activating enzyme C1s by tumor cells was associated with poor prognosis in three cohorts. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the prognostic value of C1s was independent from complement deposits, suggesting the possibility of complement cascade–unrelated, protumoral functions for C1s. Silencing of C1s in cancer cell lines resulted in decreased proliferation and viability of the cells and in increased activation of T cells in in vitro cocultures. Tumors expressing high levels of C1s showed high infiltration of macrophages and T cells. Modification of the tumor cell phenotype and T-cell activation were independent of extracellular C1s levels, suggesting that C1s was acting in an intracellular, noncanonical manner. In conclusion, our data point to C1s playing a dual role in promoting ccRCC progression by triggering complement activation and by modulating the tumor cell phenotype and tumor microenvironment in a complement cascade–independent, noncanonical manner. Overexpression of C1s by tumor cells could be a new escape mechanism to promote tumor progression.See related Spotlight by Magrini and Garlanda, p. 855.See article by Daugan et al., p. 909 (40).

Supplementary Tables 1-3

Supplementary Figure from Plasma CD27, a Surrogate of the Intratumoral CD27–CD70 Interaction, Correlates with Immunotherapy Resistance in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose:CD70 is a costimulatory molecule known to activate CD27-expressing T cells. CD27–CD70 interaction leads to the release of soluble CD27 (sCD27). Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) expresses the highest levels of CD70 among all solid tumors; however, the clinical consequences of CD70 expression remain unclear.Experimental Design:Tumor tissue from 25 patients with ccRCC was assessed for the expression of CD27 and CD70 in situ using multiplex immunofluorescence. CD27+ T-cell phenotypes in tumors were analyzed by flow cytometry and their gene expression profile were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing then confirmed with public data. Baseline sCD27 was measured in 81 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with immunotherapy (35 for training cohort and 46 for validation cohort).Results:In the tumor microenvironment, CD27+ T cells interacted with CD70-expressing tumor cells. Compared with CD27− T cells, CD27+ T cells exhibited an apoptotic and dysfunctional signature. In patients with RCC, the intratumoral CD27–CD70 interaction was significantly correlated with the plasma sCD27 concentration. High sCD27 levels predicted poor overall survival in patients with RCC treated with anti–programmed cell death protein 1 in both the training and validation cohorts but not in patients treated with antiangiogenic therapy.Conclusions:In conclusion, we demonstrated that sCD27, a surrogate marker of T-cell dysfunction, is a predictive biomarker of resistance to immunotherapy in RCC. Given the frequent expression of CD70 and CD27 in solid tumors, our findings may be extended to other tumors.

Supplementary Table from Plasma CD27, a Surrogate of the Intratumoral CD27–CD70 Interaction, Correlates with Immunotherapy Resistance in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Supplementary Data from Plasma CD27, a Surrogate of the Intratumoral CD27–CD70 Interaction, Correlates with Immunotherapy Resistance in Renal Cell Carcinoma

International audience; Background: We previously reported a 35-gene expression classifier identifying four clear-cell renal cell carcinoma groups (ccrcc1 to ccrcc4) with different tumour microenvironments and sensitivities to sunitinib in metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. Efficacy profiles might differ with nivolumab and nivolumab-ipilimumab. We therefore aimed to evaluate treatment efficacy and tolerability of nivolumab, nivolumab-ipilimumab, and VEGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) in patients according to tumour molecular groups.Methods: This biomarker-driven, open-label, non-comparative, randomised, phase 2 trial included patients from 15 university hospitals or expert cancer centres in France. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, and had previously untreated metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using permuted blocks of varying sizes to receive either nivolumab or nivolumab-ipilimumab (ccrcc1 and ccrcc4 groups), or either a VEGFR-TKI or nivolumab-ipilimumab (ccrcc2 and ccrcc3 groups). Patients assigned to nivolumab-ipilimumab received intravenous nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four doses followed by intravenous nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks. Patients assigned to nivolumab received intravenous nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks. Patients assigned to VEGFR-TKIs received oral sunitinib (50 mg/day for 4 weeks every 6 weeks) or oral pazopanib (800 mg daily continuously). The primary endpoint was the objective response rate by investigator assessment per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. The primary endpoint and safety were assessed in the population who received at least one dose of study drug. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02960906, and with the EU Clinical Trials Register, EudraCT 2016-003099-28, and is closed to enrolment.Findings: Between June 28, 2017, and July 18, 2019, 303 patients were screened for eligibility, 202 of whom were randomly assigned to treatment (61 to nivolumab, 101 to nivolumab-ipilimumab, 40 to a VEGFR-TKI). In the nivolumab group, two patients were excluded due to a serious adverse event before the first study dose and one patient was excluded from analyses due to incorrect diagnosis. Median follow-up was 18·0 months (IQR 17·6-18·4). In the ccrcc1 group, objective responses were seen in 12 (29%; 95% CI 16-45) of 42 patients with nivolumab and 16 (39%; 24-55) of 41 patients with nivolumab-ipilimumab (odds ratio [OR] 0·63 [95% CI 0·25-1·56]). In the ccrcc4 group, objective responses were seen in seven (44%; 95% CI 20-70) of 16 patients with nivolumab and nine (50% 26-74) of 18 patients with nivolumab-ipilimumab (OR 0·78 [95% CI 0·20-3·01]). In the ccrcc2 group, objective responses were seen in 18 (50%; 95% CI 33-67) of 36 patients with a VEGFR-TKI and 19 (51%; 34-68) of 37 patients with nivolumab-ipilimumab (OR 0·95 [95% CI 0·38-2·37]). In the ccrcc3 group, no objective responses were seen in the four patients who received a VEGFR-TKI, and in one (20%; 95% CI 1-72) of five patients who received nivolumab-ipilimumab. The most common treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events were hepatic failure and lipase increase (two [3%] of 58 for both) with nivolumab, lipase increase and hepatobiliary disorders (six [6%] of 101 for both) with nivolumab-ipilimumab, and hypertension (six [15%] of 40) with a VEGFR-TKI. Serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in two (3%) patients in the nivolumab group, 38 (38%) in the nivolumab-ipilimumab group, and ten (25%) patients in the VEGFR-TKI group. Three deaths were treatment-related: one due to fulminant hepatitis with nivolumab-ipilimumab, one death from heart failure with sunitinib, and one due to thrombotic microangiopathy with sunitinib.Interpretation: We demonstrate the feasibility and positive effect of a prospective patient selection based on tumour molecular phenotype to choose the most efficacious treatment between nivolumab with or without ipilimumab and a VEGFR-TKI in the first-line treatment of metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose:CD70 is a costimulatory molecule known to activate CD27-expressing T cells. CD27–CD70 interaction leads to the release of soluble CD27 (sCD27). Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) expresses the highest levels of CD70 among all solid tumors; however, the clinical consequences of CD70 expression remain unclear.Experimental Design:Tumor tissue from 25 patients with ccRCC was assessed for the expression of CD27 and CD70 in situ using multiplex immunofluorescence. CD27+ T-cell phenotypes in tumors were analyzed by flow cytometry and their gene expression profile were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing then confirmed with public data. Baseline sCD27 was measured in 81 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with immunotherapy (35 for training cohort and 46 for validation cohort).Results:In the tumor microenvironment, CD27+ T cells interacted with CD70-expressing tumor cells. Compared with CD27− T cells, CD27+ T cells exhibited an apoptotic and dysfunctional signature. In patients with RCC, the intratumoral CD27–CD70 interaction was significantly correlated with the plasma sCD27 concentration. High sCD27 levels predicted poor overall survival in patients with RCC treated with anti–programmed cell death protein 1 in both the training and validation cohorts but not in patients treated with antiangiogenic therapy.Conclusions:In conclusion, we demonstrated that sCD27, a surrogate marker of T-cell dysfunction, is a predictive biomarker of resistance to immunotherapy in RCC. Given the frequent expression of CD70 and CD27 in solid tumors, our findings may be extended to other tumors.

International audience; The presence of intratumoral tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) is associated with positive clinical outcomes and responses to immunotherapy in cancer. Here, we used spatial transcriptomics to examine the nature of B cell responses within TLS in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). B cells were enriched in TLS, and therein, we could identify all B cell maturation stages toward plasma cell (PC) formation. B cell repertoire analysis revealed clonal diversification, selection, expansion in TLS, and the presence of fully mature clonotypes at distance. In TLS+ tumors, IgG- and IgA-producing PCs disseminated into the tumor beds along fibroblastic tracks. TLS+ tumors exhibited high frequencies of IgG-producing PCs and IgG-stained and apoptotic malignant cells, suggestive of anti-tumor effector activity. Therapeutic responses and progression-free survival correlated with IgG-stained tumor cells in RCC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Thus, intratumoral TLS sustains B cell maturation and antibody production that is associated with response to immunotherapy, potentially via direct anti-tumor effects.

The standard of care for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) has changed dramatically over the past decades thanks to the increasing number of treatments: anti-VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), mTOR inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI): anti PD(L)-1 used as monotherapy or in combination with anti CTLA-4 or anti angiogenic therapies. In the face of rising therapeutic options, the question of the therapeutic sequences arises: which treatment for which patient? Actually, there is a lack of predictive biomarkers. A greater understanding of the cancer biology and its interaction with the microenvironment has allowed the development of genomic signatures which could perhaps be used as predictive biomarker. This review will give an insight on some robust genomic signatures assessed in mccRCC and will have a closer look at BIONIKK phase II trial, which is the first trial to adapt treatments according to the molecular characteristics of the tumor in the context of mccRCC.

Summary Background: The nivolumab-ipilimumab combination provides an overall response rate of 42% in first-line metastatic treatment of clear cell renal carcinoma (mccRCC). To date, there is no robust predictive biomarker of response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). In addition, severe autoimmune disorders occur more frequently with ICI combination than with ICI alone. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of ICI alone or in combination in patients according to tumor molecular characteristics. Methods: Using a 35-gene expression mRNA signature, patients were divided into 4 molecular groups (1 to 4). Patients in groups 1 and 4 were randomized to receive nivolumab alone (arms 1A and 4A) or nivolumab plus ipilimumab for 4 injections followed by nivolumab alone (arms 1B and 4B). Patients in groups 2 and 3 were randomized to receive nivolumab plus ipilimumab followed by nivolumab alone (arms 2B and 3B) or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (sunitinib or pazopanib at the investigator’s choice (arms 2C and 3C)). The main objective is the overall response rate by treatment and molecular group. Discussion: BIONIKK is the first trial in mccRCC to study the personalization of treatment with ICI or TKI according to tumor molecular characteristics in mccRCC. This trial is the most appropriate to prospectively identify biomarkers of response to nivolumab used alone or in combination or TKI monotherapy in patients with mccRCC. NCT02960906.

BackgroundThe phase 3 CheckMate 214 trial demonstrated higher response rates and improved overall survival with nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus sunitinib in first-line therapy for advanced clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). An unmet need exists to identify patients with RCC who are most likely to benefit from treatment with nivolumab plus ipilimumab.MethodsIn exploratory analyses, pretreatment levels of programmed death ligand 1 were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Genomic and transcriptomic biomarkers (including tumor mutational burden and gene expression signatures) were also investigated.ResultsBiomarkers previously associated with benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor-containing regimens in RCC were not predictive for survival in patients with RCC treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. Analysis of gene expression identified an association between an inflammatory response and progression-free survival with nivolumab plus ipilimumab.ConclusionsThe exploratory analyses reveal relationships between molecular biomarkers and provide supportive data on how the inflammation status of the tumor microenvironment may be important for identifying predictive biomarkers of response and survival with combination immunotherapy in patients with RCC. Further validation may help to provide biomarker-driven precision treatment for patients with RCC.

International audience; Nivolumab and cabozantinib are approved agents in mRCC patients after sunitinib/pazopanib (TKI) failure. However, the optimal sequence, cabozantinib then nivolumab (CN) or nivolumab then cabozantinib (NC), is still unknown. The CABIR study aimed to identify the optimal sequence between CN and NC after frontline VEGFR-TKI. In this multicenter retrospective study, we collected data from mRCC pts receiving CN or NC, after frontline VEGFR-TKI. A propensity score (PrS) was calculated to manage bias selection, and sequence comparisons were carried out with a cox model on a matched sample 1:1. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) from the start of second line to progression in third line (PFS2-3 ). Key secondary endpoints included overall survival from second line (OS2 ). Out of 139 included mRCC patients, 38 (27%) and 101 (73%) received CN and NC, respectively. Overlap in PrS allowed 1:1 matching for each CN pts, with characteristics well balanced. For both PFS2-3 and OS2 , NC sequence was superior to CN (PFS2-3 : HR = 0.58 [0.34-0.98], P = .043; OS2 : 0.66 [0.42-1.05], P = .080). Superior PFS2-3 was in patients treated between 6 and 18 months with prior VEGFR-TKI (P = .019) and was driven by a higher PFSL3 with cabozantinib when given after nivolumab (P

676 Background: At the recommended dose of 60mg/day in mRCC, CABO is associated with frequent and/or severe toxicities in mRCC, which may be modified, along with clinical benefit, by interindividual variability in pharmacokinetics (PK). The objective of this multicentre ambispective study was to determine whether the PK of CABO could help to better predict efficacy and early dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) in mRCC. Methods: We collected plasma and determined the concentration of CABO in the first 3 months of initiation in all consecutive mRCC patients (pts) treated in 3 French oncology departments from Dec. 2016 to Mar. 2022. Correlation of plasma trough concentration (Cmin) with objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and DLT (any discontinuation or dose reduction in the first 3 months) was explored. An optimal therapeutic range was defined using ROC curves to predict efficacy and DLT. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to identify risk factors of DLT, progression and death. Results: 80 pts were included, 80% clear cell RCC, mean age 62.1 years (+/-13.3) and sex ratio (male/female) 3.2. CABO was administered as second-line, or third-or later-line in 36% and 55% of pts, respectively. Thirty-six (45 %) and 32 (40%) pts initiated CABO at 60mg and 40mg, respectively. After a median follow-up of 17.9 months (9.4-27.9), 24 (30%) were alive, 16 (20%) were still on CABO, and 46 (50%) had experienced DLT with a median to onset of 2 months (CI95%: 0.7-6.2). In the whole cohort, median Cmin was 614 ng/mL [IQR 439-827], with an interindividual variability in dose-normalized exposure of 47.5%. DLT was not associated with the starting dose (p=0.18) but was associated with higher baseline albumin (p=0.03) and higher Cmin (p=0.003). In multivariate analysis, only Cmin was associated with DLT (HR per 100-unit increase: 1.35 [1.03-1.77]; p=0.03). ORR was achieved in 25/79 (32%) evaluable pts, including 16/35 (46%) pts starting CABO at 60mg vs 9/44 (20%) in pts starting at 20/40mg (p=0.03). No difference was found in PFS and OS according to the starting dose (p=0.72 and p=0.49, respectively), nor with previously reported Cmin≥750ng/mL (vs 800ng/mL was significantly associated with DLT (HR 1.56 [1.13-2.15]; p=0.009), although it was not associated with an increase in PFS (p=0.94) or OS (p=0.33). Conclusions: We show that Cmin of CABO is more robustly associated with DLT and PFS/OS than the starting dose, probably due to a high interindividual variability in exposure. Early plasma drug monitoring associated with a target Cmin of 350-800 ng/mL may be useful to optimize CABO in mRCC pts. Future studies should focus on validating this therapeutic range in external validation cohorts.

724 Background: The NIVOREN GETUG-AFU 26 study launched a translational research program to quantify baseline circulating soluble factors levels and correlate them with outcomes and irAEs in mRCC pts treated with nivolumab. We previously identified (training-set = 80 pts, validation-set= 233 pts) several soluble factors associated with overall survival (IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, BAFF, and CXCL13) (Carril-Ajuria et al. ASCO. 2022). Our aim was to evaluate the association between baseline levels of circulating soluble factors and the presence of all grade and severe irAEs. Methods: 720 patients treated with nivolumab within the NIVOREN study and with available safety data were included in the study. The association between baseline levels of seven different circulating soluble factors (VEGF, VCAM-1, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, BAFF, CXCL13) and the development of all grade and severe irAEs was evaluated in those pts who had previously undergone soluble factors quantification within the translational program. The association between other systemic inflammatory markers (the lung immune prognostic index (LIPI), LDH and the derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR)) and irAEs was also evaluated. Results: Out of 720 pts, 456 (63%) and 143 (20%) pts presented all grade and severe irAEs respectively. Soluble factors quantification at baseline was available for 353 pts. Baseline characteristics were similar to the overall trial population. Lower levels of circulating IL-6 (cut-off: 8.7 pg/ml) at baseline were significantly associated with a higher risk of all grade irAEs (p=0.025). Lower dNLR levels (

607 Background: To date, no biomarker of efficacy of nivolumab+/-ipilimumab (N+/-I) or anti-VEGFR TKI has been prospectively validated in mRCC. The BIONIKK trial showed promising objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) with these treatments in first line (L1) after selection by tumour molecular group. We report OS and efficacy results of the second-line (L2) treatment. Methods: BIONIKK is a French multicentre non-comparative phase II trial, randomising 199 mRCC pts to receive N (58), NI (101) or TKI (40) in L1 according to four molecular groups (ccrcc1-4). ORR and PFS were already reported. With an additional follow-up of ≥20 months, we report OS from randomization and from the start of L2, as well as ORR and PFS with a TKI in L2 by molecular group. Results: With a median follow-up of 42.1 months (40.5-45.2), 86 (43%) patients died: 27/58 (46.5%), 39/101 (39%) and 20/40 (50%) in the N, NI, and TKI arm, respectively. Median OS were 43.4 months (95%CI=31.4-NR) with N, 52.7 months (95%CI=46-NR) with NI and 38.1 months (95%CI=33.2-NR) with TKI (table). 175 (88%) patients discontinued first-line treatment, including 20 deaths, and 129 (74%) received a L2, 38/58 (65.5%), 64/101 (63%), and 27/40 (67.5%) after N, NI and TKI, respectively. The most frequent L2 received after N+/-I was a TKI in 96/102 (94%) pts, including cabozantinib in 49, sunitinib/pazopanib in 32, axitinib in 13, and lenvatinib in 2. N was the most frequent L2 after TKI, 20/27 (74%). ORR with TKI in L2 was 28.5% (10/35) after N, 39% (24/61) after NI and 80% (4/5) after TKI, with marked benefit in ccrcc2 pts (table). The mPFS with TKI in L2 was 8.2 (95%CI=6.9-19.3) after N, 11.4 (95%CI= 8.9-16.8) after NI, and 12.1 (95%CI =11.4-NR) months after TKI, with a higher benefit in ccrcc2 pts (vs. ccrcc1+4, p=0.04). Conversely, ORR and mPFS with N after TKI in ccrcc2-pts were 12.5% (2/16) and 5.4 (2.6-NR) months, respectively. Median OS L2 was reported in the table. The updated ORR and PFS in L1 will presented at the Meeting, as well as PFS2 and efficacy by TKI type in L2. Conclusions: We report for the first-time OS and L2 efficacy results by molecular group in a randomized trial. Molecular selection also has an impact on treatment efficacy in L2. These results, together with those reported in L1, can inform clinicians on the best treatment sequence in L1-2. Clinical trial information: NCT02960906 . [Table: see text]

Background CD70, a costimulatory molecule on antigen presenting cells, is known to activate CD27-expressing T cells. CD27-CD70 interaction leads to the release of soluble CD27 (sCD27). However, persistent interaction of CD27 and CD70 such as in chronic infection may exhaust the T cell pool and promote apoptosis. Surprisingly, our analysis based on TCGA database show that clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) expresses the highest levels of CD70 among all solid tumors. Despite the important clinical efficacy of immunotherapy by anti-PD-1 in RCC patients, the overall response to anti-PD1 remains modest. The relationship between the CD27-CD70 interaction in the RCC and the response to immunotherapy is still unclear. Materials and Methods To study the CD27 and CD70 expression in the tumor microenvironment (TME), FFPE tumor tissues from 25 RCC patients were analysed using multiplex in situ immunofluorescence. 10 fresh RCC tumor samples were collected to analyse the phenotype of CD27+ T cells by flow cytometry and 4 samples were proceeded for single-cell RNA-seq analysis. A cohort of metastatic RCC patients (n = 35) treated by anti-PD-1 were enrolled for the measurement of plasma sCD27 by ELISA and the survival analysis is also realized. Results In the TME, we demonstrated that CD27+ T cells interact with CD70-expressing tumor cells. In fresh tumors from RCC patients, CD27+ T cells express higher levels of cleaved caspase 3 (a classical marker of apoptosis) than CD27- T cells. We confirmed the apoptotic signature (BAX, FASLG, BCL2L11, CYCS, FBXO32, LGALS1, PIK3R1, TERF1, TXNIP, CDKN2A) of CD27+ T cells by single-cell RNAseq analysis. CD27+T cells also had a tissue resident memory T cell phenotype with enriched gene expression of ITGAE, PRDM1, RBPJ and ZNF683. Moreover, CD27+T cells display an exhaustion phenotype with the expression of multiple inhibitory receptors gene signature (PDCD1, CTLA4, HAVCR2, LAG3, etc). Besides, intratumoral CD27-CD70 interaction significantly correlates with plasma sCD27 concentration in RCC (p = 0.0017). In metastatic RCC patients treated with anti-PD-1, higher levels of sCD27 predict poor overall survival (p = 0.037), while it did not correlate with inflammatory markers or clinical prognostic criteria. Conclusions In conclusion, we demonstrated that sCD27, a surrogate of T cell dysfunction in tumors likely induced by persistent interactions of CD27+T cells and CD70-expressing tumor cells, is a predictive biomarker of resistance to immunotherapy in mRCC. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that a peripheral blood biomarker may reflect certain aspects of the tumor-host interaction in the tumor microenvironment. Given the frequent expression of CD70 and CD27 in solid tumors, our findings may be further extended to other types of tumors. CD70-CD27 interaction could thus be considered as a mechanism of tumor escape, but also a novel therapeutic target in cancers. Disclosure Information N. Benhamouda: None. I. Sam: None. N. Epaillard: None. A. Gey: None. A. Saldmann: None. J. Pineau: None. M. Hasan: None. V. Verkarre: None. V. Libri: None. S. Mella: None. C. Granier: None. C. Broudin: None. P. Ravel: None. B. Jabla: None. N. Chaput: None. L. Albiges: None. Y. Vano: None. O. Adotevi: None. S. Oudard: B. Research Grant (principal investigator, collaborator or consultant and pending grants as well as grants already received); Modest; SIRIC CARPEM, FONCER. E. Tartour: B. Research Grant (principal investigator, collaborator or consultant and pending grants as well as grants already received); Modest; Fondation ARC, INCA PLBio, Labex Immuno-Oncology, SIRIC CARPEM, FONCER, IDEX universite de Paris, Inserm Transfert.

Introduction. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been approved for front-line therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, progressive disease often occurs and subsequent therapies are needed. ICI rechallenge may be an option, but there is a lack of data regarding efficacy and prognostic factors. We assessed efficacy of ICI rechallenge and factors associated with better outcomes. Patients and Methods. This ambispective multicenter study included 45 mRCC patients rechallenged with nivolumab ± ipilimumab between 2014 and 2020. Primary endpoint was investigator-assessed best objective response rate (ORR) for ICI rechallenge (ICI-2). Factors associated with ICI-2 progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated with multivariate Cox models. Results. ORR was 51% (n = 23) at first ICI therapy (ICI-1) and 16% (n = 7) for ICI-2. Median PFS was 11.4 months (95% CI, 9.8–23.5) and 3.5 months (95% CI, 2.8–9.7), and median overall survival was not reached (NR) (95% CI, 37.8–NR) and 24 months (95% CI, 9.9–NR) for ICI-1 and ICI-2, respectively. Factors associated with poorer ICI-2 PFS were a high number of metastatic sites, presence of liver metastases, use of an intervening treatment between ICI regimens, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2, and poor International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium score at ICI-2 start. Conversely, ICI-1 PFS >6 months was associated with better ICI-2 PFS. In multivariate analysis, there were only statistical trends toward better ICI-2 PFS in patients with ICI-1 PFS >6 months ( p = 0.07 ) and toward poorer ICI-2 PFS in patients who received a treatment between ICI regimens ( p = 0.07 ). Conclusion. Rechallenge with nivolumab-based ICI has some efficacy in mRCC. We identified various prognostic factors in univariate analysis but only statistical trends in multivariate analysis. Our findings bring new evidence on ICI rechallenge and preliminary but unique data that may help clinicians to select patients who will benefit from this strategy.

Correction: Volume: 119 Pages: 200-201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2019.04.012 Published: SEP 2019 Background: Nivolumab-ipilimumab demonstrated a survival benefit over sunitinib in first-line setting for metastatic renal cell carcinomas (mRCCs) and is becoming a new standard of care for naive patients with intermediate or poor risk prognosis (International mRCC Database Consortium). The efficacy of subsequent vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) after nivolumab-ipilimumab failure remains unclear. Methods: Medical records of mRCC patients treated with nivolumab-ipilimumab, who received subsequent TKI, as part of Checkmate 214 study were reviewed in 13 institutions. Baseline characteristics, outcome data including progression-free survival (PFS), response, overall survival (OS) and toxicities were retrospectively collected. Results: Overall 33 patients received subsequent TKI after nivolumab-ipilimumab failure. Median follow-up from start of subsequent TKI is 22 months (19-NR). Best response was assessed in 30 patients: 12 partial responses (36%), 13 stable diseases (39%) and five progressive diseases (15%). Median PFS from start of TKI was 8 months [5-13]. Median PFS with first-generation (sunitinib/pazopanib) and second-generation TKI (axitinib/cabozantinib) was 8 months [5-16] and 7 months (5-NA), respectively. PFS in second line was significantly longer in patients with a long first-line duration of response to the double immune checkpoint blockade (>= 6 months) with 8 versus 5 months for short responder (= 3. Conclusion: This is the first report of outcomes with TKI, after first-line nivolumab-ipilimumab failure. Median PFS suggests a sustained benefit of TKI and supports trials investigating the optimal sequence. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

MiTF/TFE translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of RCC representing the most prevalent RCC in the pediatric population (up to 40%) and making up 4% of all RCCs in adults. It is characterized by translocations involving either TFE3 (TFE3-tRCC), TFEB (TFEB-tRCC) or MITF, all members of the MIT family (microphthalmia-associated transcriptional factor). TFE3-tRCC was first recognized in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of kidney cancers in 2004. In contrast to TFEB-tRCC, TFE3-tRCC is associated with many partners that can be detected by RNA or exome sequencing. Both diagnoses of TFE3 and TFEB-tRCC are performed on morphological and immunohistochemical features, but, to date, TFE break-apart fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) remains the gold standard for diagnosis. The clinical behavior of tRCC is heterogeneous and more aggressive in adults. Management of metastatic tRCC is challenging, especially in the younger population, and data are scarce. Efficacy of the standard of care-targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors remains low. Recent integrative exome and RNA sequencing analyses have provided a better understanding of the biological heterogeneity, which can contribute to a better therapeutic approach. We describe the clinico-pathological entities, the response to systemic therapy and the molecular features and techniques used to diagnose tRCC.

4552 Background: The NIVOREN GETUG-AFU 26 study launched a translational research program to quantify baseline circulating soluble factors levels and correlate them with outcomes to nivolumab in mRCC pts. We previously identified on a training set (n = 80, 40 responders/40 progressors) several soluble factors significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and response (IL-8 and VEGF), or with worse OS only (IL-6, IL-7) (Carril-Ajuria et al. ASCO GU. 2022). Our aim was to confirm these findings using an independent validation set. Methods: The remaining pts (n = 233) included in the translational-program of the NIVOREN study were included in this validation set. Based on previous results (training set), a panel of 7 different soluble factors (VEGF, VCAM-1, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, BAFF, CXCL13) were quantified for each plasma sample using the MSD electrochemiluminescence assay. The association between baseline soluble-factors levels and response, PFS and OS was evaluated using previously identified cut-off values. Results: Two hundred thirty-three pts were included in the validation set. Baseline characteristics were similar to the overall trial population. The IMDC risk score breakdown was 17.7% good, 57.3% intermediate and 25.0% poor. With a median follow-up of 21.8 months (mo), the OS rate was 69.6% at 12 mo and median PFS was 3.0 mo. IL-8 (cut-off: 17.9 pg/ml) and IL-6 (cut-off: 8.7 pg/ml), involved in inflammation, confirmed an association with worse OS (IL8: HR = 2.57, p < 0.0001, IL-6: HR = 3.28,p < 0.0001) and worse PFS (IL-8: HR = 1.61,p = 0.0008, IL-6: HR = 1.68, p = 0.0021). VEGF (cut-off: 48.3 pg/ml) confirmed the association with worse OS (HR = 1.56, p = 0.0176), but not with PFS (p = 0.2068). IL-7, involved in T and B cells development, did not show a significant association with OS or PFS when using 8.6 pg/ml (training set) as cut-off (p = 0.0675 and p = 0.7818, respectively). IL-7 was the only cytokine to show an association with response (p = 0.044). Interestingly, circulating CXCL13 (cut-off: 106.4 pg/ml) and BAFF (cut-off: 1122.6 pg/ml), involved in B cell differentiation/survival, were significantly associated with worse OS (HR = 2.09, p = 0.0001 and HR = 2.34, p = 0.0001, respectively); BAFF showed a trend for worse PFS (HR = 1.29, p = 0.0920). Conclusions: Using the cut-off values previously identified in the training set, we confirmed a significant association between baseline blood concentration of IL-6/IL-8 and worse OS/PFS, and of VEGF with worse OS. Non-responders presented lower baseline circulating IL-7 concentrations. CXCL13 and BAFF were significantly associated with worse OS. Multivariate analyses are ongoing.

2523 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), used alone or as a combination are standard of care in many cancers. Generally well tolerated, they can generate immune-related adverse events (irAEs). No biomarkers are available to identify patients who are more likely to develop irAEs. The aim of this study was to assess the association between preexisting autoantibodies, occurrence of irAEs and survival outcomes. Methods: We performed a prospective study including 221 patients receiving ICIs for advanced solid tumors between May 2015 and July 2021. Autoantibodies testing (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic, anti-nuclear, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) was performed before ICIs initiation. The associations among preexisting autoantibodies, the occurrence, the severity, the delay of irAEs and the survival outcomes, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed with T-test, Cox regression models, univariate and multivariate analyses and Kaplan-Meier’s method. Results: Of the 221 patients, 151 (68%) were men, the median age was 66,5 (range 21-90) years and 103 (81%) had an ECOG-PS of 0 or 1. Seventy-three percent (n=162) received an anti-PD-(L)1 in monotherapy, 27% (n=59) an anti-PD-(L)1 in combination, for a renal cell carcinoma in 45% (n=99) and a lung carcinoma in 41% (n=90). In total, 129 (58%) patients had preexisting antibodies. IrAEs were significantly more frequent in patients with preexisting autoantibodies: 64 patients (50%) in the positive group vs. 20 patients (22%) in the negative group, OR = 3.5 (95%CI=1.8 - 6.8), p=0.00002. Median time interval between ICI initiation and irAE was shorter in the positive group vs. the negative group, 13 weeks (IQR=43weeks) vs. 28.5 weeks (IQR=12weeks) respectively (p=0.01). Twelve patients (9.4%) experienced multi toxicities in the positive group vs. two (2%) in the negative group, OR=4.5 (95%CI0.98-36), p=0.04. ICIs exposure was identical in preexisting and non-preexisting autoantibodies groups. After a median follow-up of 25 months (95%CI=19-31), median PFS and OS were significantly longer among patients experiencing irAE: 12.6 months (95%CI=11-22.7) vs 5 months (95%CI=4.2-7.0), p= 0.0003 and 30 months (95%CI= 22.7-NR) vs 21 months (95%CI=15-34.6), p= 0.016. In multivariate analyses irAEs remain statistically associated with survival outcomes. Preexisting autoantibodies were not associated with survival outcomes. Conclusions: The presence of preexisting autoantibodies is significantly associated with the occurrence of irAE in patients treated with ICIs. Earlier and multiple irAEs were observed in the presence of preexisting autoantibodies. Thus, these biomarkers could help to identify patients at risk of irAEs and would prompt us to closely monitor them.

Resume Le cancer du rein a cellules claires est un type tumoral dont le developpement et la progression sont diriges par la voie de l’angiogenese HIF/VEGF. Les anti-angiogeniques (AA), en particulier les inhibiteurs de tyrosine kinase (TKI) anti-VEGFR, ont profondement modifie le pronostic des patients au stade metastatique (mRCC) depuis leur enregistrement en 2006. Dans le meme temps, des inhibiteurs de la voie mTOR, ont egalement apporte un benefice non negligeable aux patients. Plus recemment, des traitements restaurant l’immunite adaptative antitumorale, les inhibiteurs de checkpoints (ICP) anti-program death 1 (anti-PD-1), viennent a leur tour revolutionner la prise en charge des mRCC. L’efficacite multitumeurs de ces ICP nous prouve le role crucial de l’immunite antitumorale dans le controle d’un certain nombre de tumeurs dont le cancer du rein. Il est etabli que le microenvironnement (TME) immunitaire des tumeurs du rein a cellules claires (ccRCC) est tres immunosuppressif. Ainsi, les ccRCC sont caracterises par une forte infiltration de lymphocytes T CD8+, exprimant frequemment des molecules de checkpoints immunologiques a leur surface, leur conferant un caractere de mauvais pronostic. Ces caracteristiques du TME expliquent en partie l’efficacite des ICP dans le ccRCC et constituent un rationnel fort pour la poursuite du developpement d’ICP, soit a un stade plus precoce, soit en combinaison, en particulier avec des AAA ou des TKI. Dans cette revue sont compiles les principaux resultats cliniques des molecules de checkpoints immunologiques seuls ou en association, en premiere ligne ou apres echec d’un TKI.

Simple Summary Efficient antitumoral immune response is conditioned by a regulated cell death called immunogenic cell death. Many immunologic cell death inducers are currently used in cancer treatment. Among them, radiation therapy is an adaptable, well tolerated and widely used modality of treatment in modern oncology. Moreover, there is growing evidence for synergistic mechanisms between radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Although pre-clinical concepts are numerous, robust clinical evidence is scarce. Radioimmunology is a rapidly evolving discipline with several ongoing clinical trials. In this review, we (i) explain the rationale behind radiotherapy and immune checkpoint-inhibitor association in the light of the most recent knowledge, (ii) provide the results of the latest clinical trials evaluating radiation therapy and immune checkpoint association and (iii) explore the future directions of radioimmunology research. Abstract The immunogenic cell death (ICD) is defined as a regulated cell death able to induce an adaptive immunity. It depends on different parameters including sufficient antigenicity, adjuvanticity and favorable microenvironment conditions. Radiation therapy (RT), a pillar of modern cancer treatment, is being used in many tumor types in curative, (neo) adjuvant, as well as metastatic settings. The anti-tumor effects of RT have been traditionally attributed to the mitotic cell death resulting from the DNA damages triggered by the release of reactive oxygen species. Recent evidence suggests that RT may also exert its anti-tumor effect by recruiting tumor-specific immunity. RT is able to induce the release of tumor antigens, to act as an immune adjuvant and thus to synergize with the anti-tumor immunity. The advent of new efficient immunotherapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), in multiple tumor types sheds new light on the opportunity of combining RT and ICI. Here, we will describe the biological and radiobiological rationale of the RT-induced ICD. We will then focus on the interest to combine RT and ICI, from bench to bedside, and summarize the clinical data existing with this combination. Finally, RT technical adaptations to optimize the ICD induction will be discussed.

Cabazitaxel (25 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) is the standard second-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel. It is associated with a risk of neutropenic complications, which may be a barrier to its use in daily clinical practice, particularly in frail elderly patients. Here the authors reviewed key studies conducted with cabazitaxel (TROPIC, PROSELICA, AFFINITY, CARD and the European compassionate use program) and pilot studies with adapted schedules. Based on this review, the use of prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor from cycle 1 appears crucial to maximize the benefit-risk ratio of cabazitaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Preliminary data with alternative schedules look promising, especially for frail patients. Results of the ongoing Phase III CABASTY trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02961257 ) are awaited.

The field of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has undergone major changes in the last decade, both in terms of the understanding of the mechanisms of oncogenesis and the role of the tumor microenvironment in anti-tumor immunity, as well as in therapeutic developments. After the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting VEGFR and then the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, we are now entering the era of combination therapy for first-line metastatic cancer (m-ccRCC), such as combinations including a TKI and a PD-1 inhibitor or combinations of PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockers. In this extremely dynamic environment, new molecules with various mechanisms of action will appear in the very near future: immune response modulators (other ICIs, pro-inflammatory cytokines, gut microbiota modulators), new anti-angiogenic agents (new TKIs, anti-HIF-1α antibodies), agents affecting cell metabolism (glutaminase inhibitors, tryptophan regulators or adenosine A2A receptor antagonists) or epigenetic regulators (HDAC inhibitors). In parallel, new strategies are being evaluated that could rapidly change the standards of management of advanced disease, including therapeutic intensification with triple combinations or, conversely, adaptive and/or alternative de-escalation regimens (SURF trial), and biomarker-driven treatments (BIONIKK trial). The main new molecules and strategies currently being evaluated are reviewed in this article.

In the last few years, the standard of care for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) has changed dramatically with the emergence of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI): anti-PD(L)-1 used as a monotherapy or as in combination either with an anti CTLA-4 or with an anti-angiogenic molecule (VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)). These combinations are now recommended in first line setting for mccRCC, according to the last European recommendations. In the face of these new therapeutic options, the question of selecting the best treatment arises as well as the optimal sequence. Predictive biomarkers are required to guide the therapeutic choice and provide a personalized treatment for each patient. This narrative review will provide an overview of the main predictive biomarkers assessed in mccRCC treatment, with a particular focus on mRNA panel signatures.

The standard of care for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) has changed dramatically over the past decades thanks to the increasing number of treatments: anti-VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), mTOR inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI): anti PD(L)-1 used as monotherapy or in combination with anti CTLA-4 or anti angiogenic therapies. In the face of rising therapeutic options, the question of the therapeutic sequences arises: which treatment for which patient? Actually, there is a lack of predictive biomarkers. A greater understanding of the cancer biology and its interaction with the microenvironment has allowed the development of genomic signatures which could perhaps be used as predictive biomarker. This review will give an insight on some robust genomic signatures assessed in mccRCC and will have a closer look at BIONIKK phase II trial, which is the first trial to adapt treatments according to the molecular characteristics of the tumor in the context of mccRCC.

Summary Background: Neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (NAC) is the standard of care in localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, 60-70% of patients have residual tumor after NAC. Based on the overall response rate observed in the metastatic setting, ddMVAC is the most commonly used NAC regimen in Europe. The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in the metastatic setting raises the question if the combination of chemo plus ICI could increase the pCR rate. Methods/Design: NEMIO is a French open-label randomized phase I/II trial assessing in the neoadjuvant setting the combination of ddMVAC plus durvalumab alone or with tremelimumab: 4 cycles of ddMVAC/2 weeks + 2 cycles of Durvalumab +/– Tremelimumab/4 weeks. Cystectomy is performed 4-8 weeks after the last dose of ddMVAC. Six pts will be included in each arm in a safety run-in cohort to evaluate the toxicity rate. Each arm will be expanded to a maximum of 60 pts. The primary endpoint of the safety run-in phase will be the rate of grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events G3/4 TRAE. The primary endpoint of the phase II will be the pathological response rate and G 3/4 TRAE. Exploratory endpoints will include biomarkers of response and resistance to the combo. A total of 120 patients will be included in 15 French centers and we expect the recruitment to be completed in 2021. Discussion: NEMIO trial will assess for the first time the tolerance and the efficacy of ddMVAC regimen associated with checkpoints inhibitors as neoadjuvant treatment in localized MIBC. NCT number: NCT03549715. Registered on June 8, 2018

The prognosis of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) has changed dramatically over the years with the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) used alone, or in combination with another ICI, or with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Although major response rates have been observed with ICI, many patients do not respond, reflecting primary resistance, and durable responses remain exceptional, reflecting secondary resistance. Factors contributing to primary and acquired resistance are manifold, including patient-intrinsic factors, tumor cell-intrinsic factors and factors associated with the tumoral microenvironment (TME). While some mechanisms of resistance are common to several tumor types, others are specific to mccRCC. Predictive biomarkers and alternative strategies are needed to overcome this resistance. This review provides an overview of the major ICI resistance mechanisms, highlights the potential of the TME to induce resistance to ICI, and discusses the predictive biomarkers available to guide therapeutic choice.

379 Background: The NIVOREN GETUG-AFU 26 study reported safety and efficacy of nivolumab in patients with RCC in a “real world setting”. A translational research program was launched to quantify baseline cytokine levels and correlate them with outcomes to nivolumab. Methods: Extreme responder patients (pts) treated with nivolumab as part of the phase II NIVOREN GETUG-AFU 26 were included in this TRAINING cohort. A panel of 14 different plasma cytokines and proteins (VEGF, VCAM-1, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, APRIL, BAFF, 4-1BB, BCA, SDF-1, MDC, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) were quantified for each plasma sample using the Elisa-based Meso Scale Discovery electrochemiluminescence assay. The association between baseline cytokine levels and objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated. Results: Overall, 80 pts, 40 responders and 40 progressors, were included for cytokine analysis. Baseline characteristics were similar to the overall trial population. The IMDC risk score breakdown was 11.3% good, 56.3% intermediate and 32.5% poor. With a median follow-up of 21.2 months, mOS data was immature at data cut-off. Overall survival rate was 67.3% at 12 months and median PFS was 3.8 months. Increased levels of IL-6 (75th percentile=P75), IL-7 (P75), IL-8 (P50) and VEGF (P50) were significantly negatively associated with survival (IL-6: HR=2.44, p=0.0112; IL-7: HR=2.38, p=0.0123; IL-8: HR=2.80, p=0.0045, and VEGF: HR=2.43, p=0.0133). 4-1BB (P50) was associated with improved OS (HR=0.39, p=0.0375). Higher levels of IL-8 (P50) and VEGF (P50) were associated with worse PFS (IL-8: HR=2.50, p=0.0133, and VEGF: HR=1.96, p=0.0132) and worse ORR (IL-8: p=0.013, and VEGF: p=0.044). Except for IL-8 and VEGF, no other associations with response were observed. Conclusions: Higher baseline plasma levels of IL-6, IL-7, IL-8 and VEGF were significantly associated with worse survival outcomes in mRCC pts treated with nivolumab within TRAINING cohort of the NIVOREN trial. In contrast, 4-1BB was significantly associated with improved OS. IL-8 and VEGF were also associated with worse PFS and ORR. VALIDATION cohort within the entire NIVOREN study is ongoing.

344 Background: SUN is approved in mRCC setting at the dose of 50mg daily for 4 weeks followed by 2 weeks rest (4/2 schedule). The 4/2 schedule often requires dose modifications for toxicity. Current recommendation is to reduce the dose to 37.5mg per day. Alternative schedules (2 weeks of treatment followed by one-week rest (2/1 schedule) have shown promising results. SURF trial evaluated prospectively schedule 2/1 when toxicity occurs. Methods: SURF [NCT02689167] is a prospective, non-comparative randomized study. Patients (pts) with mRCC (clear cell) were included at SUN initiation. When a dose adjustment of SUN was required, patients were randomized between 4/2 schedule at 37.5mg daily and experimental 2/1 schedule at 50mg daily. Primary objective was to assess duration of SUN treatment among the 73 first evaluable pts. Overall 226 pts were enrolled with 133 randomized. All other analyses are shown for the 133 randomized patients. Results: Pts were 75.2% males, with a median age 63.7 years for 94% with a Karnofsky ≥ 80%. Of them, 54.9% had partial/total nephrectomy. IMDC risk score was favourable (45.1%), intermediate (46.6%) or poor (8.3%). Pts characteristics were well balanced between 2 arms. Metastatic sites were lungs (60.5%), bones (16.3%), lymph nodes (15.5%). At 6 months, 48 patients (65.8%) of the 2/1 schedule were still on treatment (above predefined threshold for positivity). Other data are listed on the table. No new safety signal was identified. Permanent SUN discontinuation due to toxicity was 22.2% in control arm vs 12.3% in experimental arm. Conclusions: SURF is the largest prospective randomised trial evaluating two different SUN schedules modifications in mRCC in case of toxicity. This positive trial confirms the role of adapting SUN to a 2/1 schedule rather than reducing SUN dose to the classical 4/2 schedule. Clinical trial information: NCT02689167. [Table: see text]

343 Background: IO combinations are standard of care for first-line therapy of clear-cell RCC; however, non-clear cell histologies including tRCC were not included in the registrational trials. We previously reported a modest efficacy (objective response rate [ORR]

La prise en charge thérapeutique des carcinomes rénaux métastatiques à cellules claires a progressé de manière majeure sur la dernière décennie avec l’émergence des antiangiogéniques et inhibiteurs de mammalian target of rapamycin. Récemment, deux nouvelles molécules ont été validées et sont remboursées en France en deuxième ligne : nivolumab et cabozantinib. La première ligne connaît elle aussi de profonds changements avec l’approbation imminente de la combinaison nivolumab–ipilimumab pour les patients de pronostic intermédiaire à mauvais et les premiers résultats de l’association atézolizumab–bévacizumab qui pourrait se positionner en première ligne pour les patients exprimant PD-L1 et/ou de pronostic favorable. D’autres études de combinaison (inhibiteurs de tyrosine-kinase du vascular endothelial growth factor receptor–inhibiteurs des checkpoints immunitaires) sont en cours. La stratégie est également bouleversée chez les patients d’emblée métastatiques puisque l’étude CARMENA remet en cause la place de la néphrectomie chez ces patients. L’enjeu est donc de définir la meilleure séquence thérapeutique pour chaque patient, tout en s’adaptant régulièrement aux nouvelles données.

Tumors are highly heterogeneous structures where malignant cells interact with a large variety of cell populations, including a clinically-relevant immune component. We review and compare the most recent methods designed to analyze and quantify the composition of immune and stromal microenvironment of tumors and discuss their use in identification of patients for high risk of progression. If the impact of the various immune components on patient's relapse share common rules in most malignancies, clear cell renal cell tumors behave differently with regards to immunity. We focus on this specific pathology to show how the tumor interacts with the host's immune system and how this intricate relationship shapes the clinical outcome.

Simple Summary First-line treatment options for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma have significantly increased. The current recommended therapeutic strategy is based on a combination, but monotherapy remains an alternative. However, the choice of the type of combination, i.e., dual immunotherapy or immunotherapy combined with an antiangiogenic drug, has not been clearly standardized. A strategy based on the International Metastatic Database Consortium (IMDC) classification is currently recommended with pembrolizumab + axitinib, cabozantinib + nivolumab, and lenvatinib + pembrolizumab (for all patients) or nivolumab + ipilimumab (for patients with intermediate or poor risk), which are the first-line treatment standards of care. This review summarizes all recent data from the main combinations evaluated in first-line treatment and discusses the choice of drugs according to the patient’s profile and the benefit/risk balances of each combination. Abstract The development of antiangiogenic treatments, followed by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), has significantly changed the management of metastatic clear cell renal cell cancer. Several phase III trials show the superiority of combination therapy, dual immunotherapy (ICI-ICI) or ICI plus tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) of the vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) over sunitinib monotherapy. The question is therefore what is the best combination for a given patient? A strategy based on the International Metastatic Database Consortium (IMDC) classification is currently recommended with pembrolizumab + axitinib, cabozantinib + nivolumab, and lenvatinib + pembrolizumab (for all patients) or nivolumab + ipilimumab (for patients with intermediate or poor risk), which are the first-line treatment standards of care. However, several issues remain unresolved and require further investigation, such as the PD-L1 status, the relevance of possible options based on the patient’s profile, and consideration of second-line and subsequent treatments.