Clinical Outcomes of Targeted Therapies Following HIF-2α Inhibition in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Real-World Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Belzutifan, a HIF-2α inhibitor, represents a new therapeutic option for patients with advanced clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC); however, data regarding optimal postprogression treatment strategies is limited. With an expanding role of HIF-2α inhibitors, this study aimed to assess the activity of targeted therapies (TT) following belzutifan failure.

METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study including patients with ccRCC treated with belzutifan-based regimens who subsequently received further TT. The primary endpoint were time to treatment failure (TTF) and objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included. Most (79%) received vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR-TKI) after belzutifan, primarily in the third-line setting or beyond. The most frequently used agents were cabozantinib (46%), axitinib (29%), and everolimus (14%), the latter representing a mechanistically distinct agent as a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. The median TTF for subsequent TT was 6.13 months (mo) (95% CI, 3.44-11.28). ORR was 20% and a median PFS was 6.13 mo (95% CI, 5.02-12.2). The median OS was 11.28 mo (95% CI, 6.89-NR), with a 1-year survival rate of 49% (95% CI = 31-65).

CONCLUSIONS: Despite extensive prior treatment, patients experienced clinical benefit from TT, particularly VEGFR-TKIs, after progression on belzutifan. These findings support the feasibility of sequencing TT following belzutifan-based regimens in advanced ccRCC, and highlight the need to further define optimal therapeutic sequencing strategies.