Prognostic factors for overall survival with targeted therapy in Chinese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

introductonWe wanted to identify the prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in Chinese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with first-line targeted therapy (sorafenib or sunitinib).

methodsWe retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 119 mRCC patients administered sorafenib or sunitinib at the Ruijin Hospital since 2007. OS rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Each variable was investigated univariately and then multivariately using a stepwise algorithm. A multivariate Cox regression model analyzed baseline variables for prognostic significance.

resultsThe mean patient age was 57 ± 12 years; 37 patients (31%) received sorafenib and 82 (69%) received sunitinib. The mean OS was 22.7 ± 15.6 months (range: 2.8- 68.7). OS rates at year 1, 3 and 5 were 74%, 57%, and 36%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified significant negative prognostic factors (p < 0.05) as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≥2, symptoms, no prior nephrectomy, microscopic necrosis, ≥2 metastatic sites, presence of liver, bone, or pancreas metastasis, hemoglobin less than the lower limit of normal(female <115 g/L, male <130 g/L), and serum alkaline phosphatase greater than the upper limit of normal (126 IU/L) at baseline, as well as a relative dose intensity of targeting agents in the first month (1M-RDI) of <50%. Multivariate analysis of OS identified 4 independent predictors: no symptoms, no bone or pancreas metastasis, and 1M-RDI of targeting agents (≥50%).

conclusionsWith targeted therapy, there is some change in the prognostic factors for mRCC and target drug therapies (1M-RDI ≥50%) play an important role in the prognosis of mRCC. Continued progress in the identification of patient-specific prognostic factors for mRCC will require further advances in the understanding of tumour biology.