Tackling Toxicity Management in Combination Regimens for Advanced RCC

This is a video synopsis/summary of a Post Conference Perspectives featuring Brian Rini, MD, and Hans Hammers, MD, PhD.

Rini and Hammers have an in-depth discussion on managing treatment toxicity and tolerability for kidney cancer patients. They note that while toxicity is a frequent topic at conferences, considerations around real-world patient selection and management often get overlooked.

In selecting regimens, Hammers states he considers performance status, comorbidities, and individual patient factors that may impact tolerance of therapies like immunotherapy or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, he estimates that avoidance of a treatment because of expected toxicity occurs in less than 10% of average-risk patients. Rini agrees, noting most adverse effects can be managed with close follow-up, patient education, and expectation-setting.

Both discuss how while legally required consent conversations cover extensive potential toxicities, patients will only experience a subset of adverse effects from VEGF TKIs or immunotherapy. Hence setting realistic expectations about likely adverse effects and management is crucial to avoid discouraging treatment. They emphasize close contact in the first 2 to 3 months when adverse effect profiles and management strategies are established. This can reduce patient anxiety and reinforce that most toxicities can be effectively addressed.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by OncLive® editorial staff.