Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: Combination Strategies and the Challenge of Biomarker Selection

In this segment, the discussion explores the evolving role of combination therapies in advanced renal cell carcinoma and the challenges associated with their use. Dr. Brian Rini highlights that while combination approaches may improve outcomes by targeting multiple biological pathways, they can also lead to overtreatment in certain patients, particularly in the absence of reliable predictive biomarkers. He emphasizes that some patients may achieve durable responses with less intensive approaches, underscoring the importance of appropriate patient selection. Dr. Elizabeth Plimack further discusses the ongoing efforts to identify biomarkers in advanced renal cell carcinoma, noting that despite extensive research, clinically actionable markers remain limited. As a result, clinicians continue to rely on clinical features and disease characteristics to guide treatment decisions. The segment underscores the need for continued research to refine patient selection and optimize the use of combination strategies in advanced renal cell carcinoma.