Dr. Wenxin (Vincent) Xu, a physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, sheds light on his approach to treatment decision-making for patients dealing with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
In the realm of RCC treatment, Dr. Xu emphasizes the importance of personalized care tailored to the unique characteristics of each patient. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, as treatment options vary depending on individual circumstances. For patients with rapidly progressive symptoms, a combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy may provide swift relief and high response rates, improving their quality of life.
On the other hand, patients with metastatic RCC and mild symptoms may benefit from ipilimumab plus nivolumab, as this regimen has demonstrated durability in treatment outcomes. The choice of treatment progression hinges on various factors, including the tolerance of initial therapies and the presence of toxicities. Transitioning to different treatments, such as belzutifan, could alleviate side effects and improve overall well-being for some patients.
For those who can withstand TKI toxicities and seek further treatment, aggressive second- or third-line regimens like cabozantinib or lenvatinib plus everolimus may be beneficial. Tivozanib is also another TKI option to consider for responsive patients. The ultimate goal is to sequence treatments effectively to maximize favorable responses and enhance patient outcomes.
In conclusion, Dr. Xu’s approach to treating RCC underscores the importance of individualized care and strategic treatment sequencing to optimize patient outcomes in this challenging disease.
