Volume 4 | October 22, 2018
Kidney Cancer News Weekly
RCC Gene Signatures Validated for Treatment Benefit 

“Findings from this study further the understanding of RCC biology and inform future strategies to enable personalized therapy."
Make Your Voice Heard in D.C.
Make your Voices Heard on Capitol Hill. Volunteers needed for our Advocacy day in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 4-5, 2018. If you are interested in attending, please register here.

Tuesday, Dec. 4 - Afternoon Arrival & Evening Briefing

Wednesday, Dec. 5 - Hill Briefing & Breakfast, Capitol Hill (House & Senate Visits)

ESMO 2018 Conference Highlights: Front-line kidney showdown now features four players
The squeeze that Exelixis felt when Pfizer and Merck KGaA’s Javelin Renal 101 study read out positively for progression-free survival has tightened with today’s full data readout at Esmo. Not only is the PFS benefit seen in PD-L1-negative patients, it is also evident irrespective of patients’ prognosis.

The study's Bavencio plus Inlyta combo could now compete directly with Exelixis’s Cabometyx in first-line renal cancer. The good news for Exelixis is that its arch-rival Bristol-Myers Squibb should now also be hit in this setting. And last week’s positive readout for Merck & Co’s Keynote-426 study throws a further spanner in the works for all contenders.

Progress and Challenges in Determining Kidney Cancer Biomarkers
Germline Mutations in Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma May Direct Systemic Therapy
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City examined cancer-related germline mutations — those passed onto people from their parents — in patients with advanced RCC. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, was conducted from October 2015 to July 2017 and included 254 patients with advanced RCC (177 had clear cell RCC, 74 had non–clear cell RCC and three had both). The median age of participants was 56 years.


Avelumab-axitinib combination may be new first-line standard for advanced renal cell carcinoma
The combination of avelumab and axitinib significantly improved PFS compared with standard sunitinib among previously untreated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, according to randomized phase 3 study results presented at European Society for Medical Oncology Congress.

The combination also exhibited a favorable safety profile.

ESMO 2018 Conference Highlights:Tumor Molecular Characteristics in Patients with International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
 In advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), Checkmate214 demonstrated superior response rates (RR) and progression-free survival (PFS) with ipilimumab/nivolumab (IPI/NIVO) in IMDC intermediate and poor risk patients; patients with good-risk did better with sunitinib. Around the same time, the CABOSUN trial demonstrated similar efficacy of cabozantinib in intermediate/poor risk patients, with sunitinib being better in good risk patients.

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ESMO 2018 Conference Highlights: Regular Exercise Should be Part of Cancer Care for all Patients
Including exercise as part of cancer care can significantly improve symptom management, quality of life and fitness during and after treatment, French researchers concluded in presentations at the ESMO 2018 Congress. Even among patients at highest risk of poor quality of life, exercise can make a difference.

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About The KCAN Weekly Newsletter
TECHNOLOGY
Using advanced technology, KCAN tracks over 400 keywords related to RCC on the interne t. This search includes Google and Google Scholar. On a weekly basis, we provide you with new articles from around the world related to RCC so you can be up-to-date and save precious hours searching the internet. The goal is to keep you healthy and informed with current, relevant information. See the "content" section below to learn more.

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HOW CAN YOU HELP US HELP YOU?
Please sign up your friends for the newsletter, both patients and caregivers. Please sign up your oncologist to receive a copy. If you have other ideas about items to be tracked.
The Content Behind the KCAN Newsletter
We track the following information for you:

-the top RCC institutions: MSKCC, DFCI, BIDMC, UTSW, etc.
-the top trials: NKTR, Pembo/Axi, Avel/Axi, HERVE-TCR, AM0010, Cabo/Nivo, Tivo, etc.
-the future: CAR NK, Microbiome, killer engagers, YAP, YAZ, CPG Oligonucleotide, TriKEs, etc.
-the top targets: CD 3 CD 40, CD 70, CD 73, etc.
-the top cancer biotech firms: Acro, Tikcro, Sutro, Regeneron, Batu,Peloton, etc.
-the top cancer genes: PBRM1, BAP1, EZH2, etc.
-the top conferences: ASCO, ESMO, AUA, AACR, SITC, ASTRO, etc
-the top novel agents: HIF, Glutaminase, IL10, Adenosine, CXCR4, Neoantigen peptides, LAG3, etc.
-the top RCC surgeons and oncologists

If you want us to track something for you, send us an email

Disclaimer: The material in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. consult with a qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have.
| Kidney Cancer Action Network | Tel: 202-431-2727 | contact @KCAN. org | www.KCAN.org