Combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION

We have experienced several paradigm shifts and substantial changes in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) over the last two decades. Combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) as a dual combination (ICI-ICI) or with VEGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGF-TKI) has shown remarkable efficacy in mRCC patients and has become the standard of care in first-line therapy.

AREAS COVERED: In this review, we will discuss the background as well as the benefits of combining ICI with TKI compared to ICI-ICI combination therapy for mRCC treatment and will also briefly highlight biomarkers for patient selection on therapies to improve patient outcomes and limit toxicities.

EXPERT OPINION: Due to the mediated additional anti-tumor effects, there is a strong rationale to combine ICIs and TKIs for mRCC therapy. When comparing first-line therapy options, the exceptionally higher ORR and PFS for the ICI-TKI combinations should be highlighted, whereas, nevertheless, the complete response rate is slightly higher for the ICI-ICI combination. In terms of an individualized therapeutic approach, biomarkers predicting the success or failure of an anti-VEGF-based regimen or ICI therapy as a corresponding mono - or combination therapy are lacking so far, however, gene expression signatures can be a landmark in this field.