Real-world efficacy and safety of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in advanced renal cell carcinoma: Updated data from a Russian observational study

Background. A Russian phase IV observational study was initiated to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib with pembrolizumab (Len-Pembro) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) receiving therapy in real-world practice. This article is based on the results of the third analysis conducted with a median follow-up of 23.1 months and reflects data on the efficacy and safety of Len-Pembro in Russian patients. Aim. To evaluate the real-world efficacy and safety of Len-Pembro in patients with advanced RCC with a median follow-up increased to 23.1 months. The primary outcome of the study was progression-free survival (PFS), the secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival on next-line therapy (PFS2), objective response rate (ORR), duration of response, as well as safety. Materials and methods. The study included data from 165 patients with verified advanced RCC who received Len-Pembro at 36 centers in the Russian Federation from February 05, 2018 to July 30, 2025. The median age was 60 (20–76) years, and 70.3% of the participants were male. Most patients (74.6%) presented with Karnofsky performance score of ≥80%, metachronous metastases (50.9%) of clear cell RCC (93.3%) in 1 organ (75.2%), and had not received any anticancer treatment (91.0%). The IMDC favorable prognosis group included 40 (24.2%), intermediate – 92 (55.8%), and unfavorable prognosis – 33 (20.0%) patients. The median follow-up reached 23.1 (0.5–72.9) months. A total of 110 (66.7%) patients completed Len-Pembro therapy, and 51 (30.9%) patients received next-line treatment. Results. Median PFS reached 25.8 (95% confidence interval – CI 17.0–34.5) months, 23-month PFS – 52.6%; median OS was 39.9 (95% CI 26.9–52.8) months, 23-month OS – 73.1%; median PFS2 was 33.2 (95% CI 23.4–41.1) months, 23-month PFS2 – 66.9%. The ORR was 49.1%, including 3.0% of complete responses, and the disease control rate was 89.1%. The median duration of response reached 29.7 (95% CI 24.9–34.6) months. The incidence of any adverse events (AEs) was 78.8%, severe AEs occurred in 29.1%, fatal AES – in 1.2%, immune-related AEs – 17.0%, severe immune-related AEs – 6.7%. Conclusion. In real-world practice, with increased follow-up duration, the values of PFS, OS, and PFS2 were comparable to those obtained in the registrational study, with a lower ORR and a satisfactory safety profile of the combination of Len-Pembro in advanced RCC.