First-line avelumab/axitinib for RCC benefits wide range of patients

Mean duration of response was more than 4 months longer with the combination than with sunitinib. Moreover, responses were deeper for the combination patients.

In updated safety results, the avelumab/axitinib group had higher rates of any-grade treatment-related diarrhea (54% vs. 45%) and hypothyroidism (24% vs. 13%). But there were few of these adverse events of grade 3 or 4 in either group.

Dr. Choueiri disclosed that he receives honoraria from, has a consulting or advisory role with, and receives institutional research funding from Merck and Pfizer – among other disclosures. The trial was sponsored by Pfizer.

SOURCE: Choueiri TK et al. GUCS 2019, Abstract 544.