Renal Cell Carcinoma
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Jul 13 – Jul 20, 2026
Allogeneic CD70-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results From the Phase I TRAVERSE Trial.
J CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #6/326TOP-TIER
The phase Ia/b TRAVERSE trial investigated ALLO-316, an allogeneic CD70-targeted CAR T-cell therapy, for advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) refractory to prior treatments, using a modified 3+3 design. With a median follow-up of 28.8 months, ALLO-316 showed manageable safety, with grade ≥3 neutropenia in 62.0% of patients. Encouraging antitumor activity was observed, with an objective response rate of 17.4% overall, increasing to 31.3% in phase Ib patients with CD70 tumor proportion score ≥50%. This study offers a novel therapeutic approach for advanced ccRCC, demonstrating proof of concept for allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy in solid tumors, which is highly relevant for cancer treatment.
10.1200/JCO-26-00388
Single, early intravesical instillation of pirarubicin in the prevention of bladder recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (JCOG1403): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This phase 3 randomized trial (JCOG1403) evaluated the efficacy of a single intravesical instillation of pirarubicin versus observation in preventing bladder recurrence for 304 patients following radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in 3-year relapse-free survival, which was 60.0% in the pirarubicin group compared to 47.0% in the observation group (HR 0.67; p=0.0066). The intervention directly addresses the high risk of metachronous bladder cancer, showing manageable toxicity with only 3% of patients experiencing grade 3-4 hematuria. These findings establish early postoperative pirarubicin instillation as an effective evidence-based strategy to reduce oncological recurrence in this patient population.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00130-0
Jun 29 – Jul 06, 2026
Adjuvant Pembrolizumab plus Belzutifan for Renal-Cell Carcinoma.
NEW ENGL J MED · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/332TOP-TIER
This phase 3 double-blind trial evaluated adjuvant pembrolizumab plus belzutifan versus pembrolizumab alone in 1841 patients with resected clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma at increased risk for recurrence. After a median follow-up of 28.4 months, the combination significantly improved disease-free survival (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.59-0.87; p<0.001), with 24-month DFS of 80.7% vs 73.7%. Overall survival did not differ significantly at this interim analysis (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.51-1.19; p=0.24). Grade 3+ adverse events were more common with combination therapy (52.1% vs 30.2%), indicating a trade-off between improved recurrence prevention and increased toxicity.
10.1056/NEJMoa2518245
May 18 – May 25, 2026
Ultra-hypofractionated stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for primary renal cell carcinoma: 5-year outcomes from a pooled analysis of the FASTRACK trials.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This pooled analysis of two prospective trials (FASTRACK and FASTRACK II) evaluated stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for inoperable primary renal cell carcinoma. Among 103 treated patients (median age 76.9 years) with median 5-year follow-up, local control at 5 years was 98% (89-100), with only one local progression. Grade 3 adverse events occurred in 8% of patients (most commonly abdominal pain), with no grade 4 events or treatment-related deaths. These findings demonstrate durable long-term local control and low severe toxicity, supporting SABR as a non-invasive alternative for patients who are not surgical candidates.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00170-1
Long-term outcomes of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for primary kidney cancer (TROG 15.03 FASTRACK II): a multicentre, non-randomised, phase 2 study.
LANCET ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #8/326TOP-TIER
This multicentre phase 2 trial (TROG 15.03 FASTRACK II) evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) in 70 patients with primary renal cell carcinoma. Results demonstrated an impressive 100% local control rate at 36, 60, and 84 months, with a median follow-up of 62 months. Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events were limited to 10% of the cohort, and no grade 4 events or treatment-related deaths occurred. These findings establish SABR as a potent, non-invasive treatment option for non-surgical kidney cancer patients, offering durable local control and a manageable safety profile.
10.1016/S1470-2045(26)00091-4
Apr 27 – May 04, 2026
The clinical landscape of HIF2α inhibitors in oncology.
NAT REV CLIN ONCOL · Q1 JOURNAL - RANK #2/326TOP-TIER
This review examines the clinical development and therapeutic landscape of HIF2α inhibitors, specifically focusing on the first-in-class antagonist belzutifan and emerging small-molecule or RNA-based modulators. Belzutifan has achieved regulatory approval for treating von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated tumors, sporadic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma, and pheochromocytoma, demonstrating significant efficacy by targeting the PAS-B domain. The research highlights the validation of HIF2α as a druggable target in oncology, addressing management of on-target toxicities like anemia and the potential for combination therapies to overcome resistance. Future clinical practice may expand HIF2α inhibition to various hypoxia-adapted malignancies, provided that predictive biomarkers are identified to optimize patient selection and treatment outcomes.
10.1038/s41571-026-01145-y