Matthew T. Campbell, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology of the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the importance of utilizing a multidisciplinary treatment approach in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). 

Multidisciplinary care leads to optimal outcomes for patients with RCC, says Campbell. Although determining what subtype of RCC a patient has can be difficult, the information is used to aid optimal treatment selection, Campbell explains.

As such, working with urologists who can recommend patients with localized disease for appropriate surgeries, such as partial or radical nephrectomies, is important in multidisciplinary care, Campbell says. In the metastatic setting, urologists should determine whether a patient should undergo cytoreductive nephrectomy. 

Additionally, working closely with interventional radiologists is a growing need because data have suggested that giving concurrent stereotactic body radiotherapy can provide palliative benefit to patients receiving immunotherapy, says Campbell. Radiologists also address painful sites of metastatic disease and help patients with oligometastatic disease and multifocal kidney masses, concludes Campbell.

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Matthew T. Campbell, MD, MS, discusses the importance of utilizing a multidisciplinary treatment approach in renal cell carcinoma.  



Dr. Campbell on the Importance of Multidisciplinary Care in RCC 

Matthew T. Campbell, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology of the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

 The median age of patients with RCC is around 65, says Campbell. Given the need to move to a largely virtual platform, patients may not be comfortable utilizing technology to communicate with health care providers and family members, Campbell explains. As such, maximizing assistance to patients in the clinic is critical. In all areas of oncology, family members play a critical role in the treatment selection process; therefore, caregivers should be allowed to call in to ask questions in real time, Campbell emphasizes.

 Moreover, patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer or are starting a new treatment may not be able to digest all that is said to them regarding their options, Campbell explains. Incorporating family members into discussions with the patient ensures that appropriate treatment decisions can still be made. Ultimately, the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the importance of shared-decision making, be it in person or virtual, Campbell concludes.

Matthew T. Campbell, MD, MS, discusses the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in renal cell carcinoma. 

Dr. Campbell on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in RCC 

Matthew T. Campbell, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology of the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the expanding role of cabozantinib (Cabometyx) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). 

In clear cell RCC, cabozantinib is an active agent, says Campbell. 

Additionally, the drug has demonstrated benefit for patients with subtypes of non–clear cell RCC, such as papillary RCC, Campbell adds. The ongoing CABOSUN Ii trial (NCT03541902) is evaluating cabozantinib vs sunitinib (Sutent) in patients with metastatic variant histology RCC. 

Findings from the phase 3 METEOR trial demonstrated an improved objective response rate (ORR), median progression-free survival (PFS), and median overall survival (OS) with cabozantinib compared with everolimus (Afinitor) in patients with advanced RCC, Campbell explains. 

Furthermore, the phase 3 CheckMate-9ER trial demonstrated improved ORR, PFS, and OS with cabozantinib plus nivolumab (Opdivo) compared with sunitinib as frontline therapy for patients with advanced or metastatic RCC. 

In light of these positive findings, questions regarding sequencing with cabozantinib/nivolumab and long-term therapeutic strategies will need to be addressed, concludes Campbell.

Matthew T. Campbell, MD, MS, discusses the expanding role of cabozantinib in renal cell carcinoma.  



Dr. Campbell on the Expanding Role of Cabozantinib in RCC  

Matthew T. Campbell, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology of Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, shares ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

Try to avoid busy environments and work remotely if possible, Campbell suggests. Practicing good hand hygiene is a vital component of preventing the spread of infection, and it involves washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. Campbell suggests singing “Happy Birthday” twice to ensure hands have been washed for the appropriate amount of time. Pay extra attention to thumbs and wrists, which are areas people commonly miss. Furthermore, avoid visiting sick friends and relatives, adds Campbell.

Many patients with cancer have upper respiratory symptoms related to their cancer or other infections that are not COVID-19. Campbell hopes that testing capacity will increase in the United States so better control of COVID-19 can be achieved.

Matthew T. Campbell, MD, MS, shares ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus 2019.

Matthew T. Campbell, MD, MS

Articles

Dr. Campbell on the Importance of Multidisciplinary Care in RCC

Dr. Campbell on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in RCC

Dr. Campbell on the Expanding Role of Cabozantinib in RCC

Dr. Campbell on Precautions for Preventing Spread of COVID-19