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Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as sunitinib that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are widely used and are frequently active in patients with advanced renal cancer. However, these agents do not result in cure and have substantial toxicity burdens for patients.
In a prior study, the PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab, in combination with the ipilimumab, improved overall survival (OS) versus standard sunitinib therapy in advanced renal cancer patients previously treated with a VEGF TKI (NEJM JW Oncol Hematol May 2018 and N Engl J Med 2018; 378:1277). Now, investigators have conducted an industry-funded, international, open-label, randomized phase III study of the PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab plu…