What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 65 patients with kidney cancer. The study was sponsored by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was initial testing (phase 2). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
33% of patients with rare kidney cancer types saw their tumors shrink on this two-drug combination.
Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2020 · NCT02724878
These findings — that tumors shrank in patients with rare or aggressive kidney cancer types — were published in the Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 65 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with kidney cancer, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This treatment showed promise for kidney cancers that are harder to treat — the non-clear cell types and those with aggressive features. If your tumor tests positive for a protein called PD-L1, your chances of responding may be even higher. This was mid-stage testing and the regimen is not yet FDA-approved for this use. Talk to your oncologist about clinical trials or approved immunotherapy combinations that may be similar.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open kidney cancer trials
A Study to Evaluate INCA036873 in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors and Hematological Malignancies
A study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of INCA036873 in participants with advanced solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
WIRE - Novel Treatments in Renal Cell Cancer
Evaluation of proof of mechanism with relation to ktrans and/or CD8 count when different IMPs are given as monotherapy or as combination therapy. These would be administered in the "window of opportunity", prior to nephrectomy in surgically resectable renal cell cancer