No AccessJournal of UrologyCLINICAL UROLOGY: Original Articles1 Mar 2004Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cancer: A Combined Analysis ROBERT C. FLANIGAN, G. MICKISCH, RICHARD SYLVESTER, CATHY TANGEN, H. VAN POPPEL, and E. DAVID CRAWFORD ROBERT C. FLANIGANROBERT C. FLANIGAN , G. MICKISCHG. MICKISCH , RICHARD SYLVESTERRICHARD SYLVESTER , CATHY TANGENCATHY TANGEN , H. VAN POPPELH. VAN POPPEL , and E. DAVID CRAWFORDE. DAVID CRAWFORD View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.ju.0000110610.61545.aeAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract Purpose: Metastatic renal cancer is associated with a poor prognosis. Recent advances in immunotherapy for this problem have rekindled interest in cytoreductive nephrectomy. We report a combined analysis of 2 prospective randomized trials that used an identical study protocol. Materials and Methods: A total of 331 patients were randomized to 2 identical protocols comparing cytoreductive nephrectomy plus interferon α-2b vs interferon α-2b alone in patients with metastatic renal cancer, in whom the primary tumor was present and believed to be resectable. The primary end point for each trial was overall survival with a secondary end point of the response rate. Patients were stratified at pre-randomization by performance status (0 or 1), site of metastases (lung only vs other) and disease measurability. All results were analyzed by intent to treat criteria. Assuming a median survival of 1 year for interferon only, the Southwest Oncology Group trial was designed to detect a 50% improvement in median survival duration and a 15% improvement in response rate with a power of 0.85. The European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer accrued an additional 80 patients in that study. Results: The combined analysis of these 2 trials yielded a median survival of 13.6 months for nephrectomy plus interferon vs 7.8 months for interferon alone. This difference represents a 31% decrease in the risk of death (p = 0.002). There was no evidence of a difference in the size of the treatment effect according to pre-randomization stratification factors. Conclusions: Cytoreductive nephrectomy appears to improve significantly overall survival in patients with metastatic renal cancer treated with interferon immunotherapy independent of patient performance status, the site of metastases and the presence of measurable disease. Although it is highly statistically significant, the overall survival advantage is only 5.8 months for the entire group. These data emphasize the need to determine if this survival advantage can be further improved using more aggressive immunotherapy or other novel agents in the setting of cytoreductive nephrectomy. References 1 : Nephrectomy followed by interferon-alfa-2b compared with interferon alfa-2b alone for metastatic renal-cell cancer. N Engl J Med2001; 345: 1655. Google Scholar 2 : Radical nephrectomy plus interferon-alfa-based immunotherapy compared with interferon-alfa alone in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma: a randomised trial. Lancet2001; 358: 966. Google Scholar 3 : Systemic therapy for renal cell carcinoma. J Urol2000; 163: 408. Link, Google Scholar 4 : Treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with nephrectomy, interleukin-2 and cytokine-primed or CD8(+) selected tumor infiltrating lymphocytes from primary tumor. J Urol1997; 158: 740. Link, Google Scholar 5 : Immunotherapy with interleukin-2 and alpha interferon in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer in situ primary cancers: a pilot study. J Urol1992; 147: 24. Abstract, Google Scholar 6 : Preparative cytoreductive surgery in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with adoptive immunotherapy with interleukin-2 or interleukin-2 plus lymphokine activated killer cells. J Urol1990; 144: 614. Link, Google Scholar 7 : The impact of adjuvant nephrectomy on the multimodality treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. J Urol1994; 152: 1399. Abstract, Google Scholar 8 : Prognostic factors for survival in patients with metastatic renal cancer treated with biological response modifiers. J Urol1995; 154: 35. Link, Google Scholar 9 : Reassessment of the selection criteria for cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. J Urol2000; 163: 179. abstract 793. Google Scholar 10 : Clinical variables that predict survival following cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. J Urol2001; 165: 184. abstract 763. Google Scholar 11 : Cytoreductive surgery prior to interleukin-2-based therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Urology1993; 42: 250. Google Scholar 12 : Nephrectomy before interleukin-2 therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. J Urol1997; 158: 1691. Link, Google Scholar 13 : Cytoreductive surgery before high dose interleukin-2 based therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. J Urol1997; 158: 1675. Link, Google Scholar 14 : Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy as preparation for administration of systemic interleukin-2 in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a pilot study. Urology1999; 53: 496. Google Scholar 15 : Laparoscopic cytoreductive radical nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a feasibility study. J Urol2001; 165: 185. abstract 764. Google Scholar 16 : Survival advantage of interleukin-2 over interferon immunotherapy when combined with cytoreductive nephrectomy based on SWOG 8949-matched populations. J Urol2002; 167: 166. abstract 666. Google Scholar 17 : Presentation of renal tumor antigens by human dendritic cells activates tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes against autologous tumor: implications for live kidney cancer vaccines. Clin Cancer Res1999; 5: 445. Google Scholar From the Southwest Oncology Group and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Genitourinary Group, Loyola University Medical Center (RCF), Maywood, Illinois, Centrum Fuer Operative Urologie (GM), Bremen, Germany, European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Data Center (RS), Brussels and UZ Gasthuisberg (HVP), Leuven, Belgium, Southwest Oncology Group Statistical Center (CT), Seattle, Washington, and University of Colorado Medical Center (EDC), Denver, Colorado© 2004 by American Urological Association, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byGhatalia P, Handorf E, Geynisman D, Deng M, Zibelman M, Abbosh P, Anari F, Greenberg R, Viterbo R, Chen D, Smaldone M, Kutikov A and Uzzo R (2022) The Role of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Real-World Multi-Institutional AnalysisJournal of Urology, VOL. 208, NO. 1, (71-79), Online publication date: 1-Jul-2022.Patel H, Clark J and Flanigan R (2021) Cytoreductive Nephrectomy for Synchronous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma—Are There Any Favorable Risk Patients?Journal of Urology, VOL. 206, NO. 1, (4-6), Online publication date: 1-Jul-2021.Bhindi B, Habermann E, Mason R, Costello B, Pagliaro L, Thompson R, Leibovich B and Boorjian S (2018) Comparative Survival following Initial Cytoreductive Nephrectomy versus Initial Targeted Therapy for Metastatic Renal Cell CarcinomaJournal of Urology, VOL. 200, NO. 3, (528-534), Online publication date: 1-Sep-2018.Bhindi B, Rangel L, Mason R, Gettman M, Frank I, Kwon E, Tollefson M, Thompson R, Boorjian S and Karnes R (2017) Impact of Radical Prostatectomy on Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes in a Matched Cohort of Men with Pathological Node Positive Prostate Cancer Managed by CastrationJournal of Urology, VOL. 198, NO. 1, (86-91), Online publication date: 1-Jul-2017.Lavallée L, Fitzpatrick R, Cnossen S, Witiuk K, Wood L, Basiuk J, Vanhuyse M, Tanguay S, Pautler S, Finelli A, Jewett M, Cagiannos I, Morash C and Breau R (2016) Needs Assessment Survey for the Management of Kidney CancerUrology Practice, VOL. 4, NO. 3, (257-263), Online publication date: 1-May-2017.Gershman B, Thompson R, Moreira D, Boorjian S, Lohse C, Costello B, Cheville J and Leibovich B (2016) Lymph Node Dissection is Not Associated with Improved Survival among Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Nephrectomy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Based AnalysisJournal of Urology, VOL. 197, NO. 3 Part 1, (574-579), Online publication date: 1-Mar-2017.Laguna M (2016) Re: Comprehensive Characterization of the Perioperative Morbidity of Cytoreductive NephrectomyJournal of Urology, VOL. 196, NO. 1, (57-59), Online publication date: 1-Jul-2016.Laguna M (2015) Re: Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Patients with Synchronous Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database ConsortiumJournal of Urology, VOL. 193, NO. 5, (1514-1515), Online publication date: 1-May-2015.Smaldone M, Handorf E, Kim S, Thompson R, Costello B, Corcoran A, Wong Y, Uzzo R, Leibovich B, Kutikov A and Boorjian S (2014) Temporal Trends and Factors Associated with Systemic Therapy after Cytoreductive Nephrectomy: An Analysis of the National Cancer DatabaseJournal of Urology, VOL. 193, NO. 4, (1108-1113), Online publication date: 1-Apr-2015.Tilki D, Hu B, Nguyen H, Dall’Era M, Bertini R, Carballido J, Chandrasekar T, Chromecki T, Ciancio G, Daneshmand S, Gontero P, Gonzalez J, Haferkamp A, Hohenfellner M, Huang W, Koppie T, Linares E, Lorentz C, Mandel P, Martinez-Salamanca J, Master V, Matloob R, McKiernan J, Mlynarczyk C, Montorsi F, Novara G, Pahernik S, Palou J, Pruthi R, Ramaswamy K, Rodriguez Faba O, Russo P, Shariat S, Spahn M, Terrone C, Thieu W, Vergho D, Wallen E, Xylinas E, Zigeuner R, Libertino J and Evans C (2014) Impact of Synchronous Metastasis Distribution on Cancer Specific Survival in Renal Cell Carcinoma after Radical Nephrectomy with Tumor ThrombectomyJournal of Urology, VOL. 193, NO. 2, (436-442), Online publication date: 1-Feb-2015.Babaian K, Merrill M, Matin S, Tamboli P, Tannir N, Jonasch E, Wood C and Karam J (2014) Partial Nephrectomy in the Setting of Metastatic Renal Cell CarcinomaJournal of Urology, VOL. 192, NO. 1, (36-42), Online publication date: 1-Jul-2014.McKiernan J and Wood C (2013) Cytoreductive Nephrectomy for Metastatic Renal Cell CarcinomaJournal of Urology, VOL. 190, NO. 2, (386-388), Online publication date: 1-Aug-2013.You D, Jeong I, Ahn J, Lee D, Lee J, Hong J, Ahn H and Kim C (2010) The Value of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Era of Targeted TherapyJournal of Urology, VOL. 185, NO. 1, (54-59), Online publication date: 1-Jan-2011.Choueiri T, Xie W, Kollmannsberger C, North S, Knox J, Lampard J, McDermott D, Rini B and Heng D (2010) The Impact of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy on Survival of Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Receiving Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Targeted TherapyJournal of Urology, VOL. 185, NO. 1, (60-66), Online publication date: 1-Jan-2011.Karam J, Ahrar K, Wood C, Jonasch E, Vikram R, Romero C, Tannir N and Matin S (2010) Radio Frequency Ablation of Renal Tumors in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell CarcinomaJournal of Urology, VOL. 184, NO. 5, (1882-1887), Online publication date: 1-Nov-2010.Aron M and Gill I (2009) Radical Nephrectomy in the Setting of Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer: Proceed JudiciouslyJournal of Urology, VOL. 182, NO. 3, (832-833), Online publication date: 1-Sep-2009.Thomas A, Rini B, Lane B, Garcia J, Dreicer R, Klein E, Novick A and Campbell S (2008) Response of the Primary Tumor to Neoadjuvant Sunitinib in Patients With Advanced Renal Cell CarcinomaJournal of Urology, VOL. 181, NO. 2, (518-523), Online publication date: 1-Feb-2009.Tatokoro M, Saito K, Iimura Y, Fujii Y, Kawakami S and Kihara K (2008) Prognostic Impact of Postoperative C-Reactive Protein Level in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Cytoreductive NephrectomyJournal of Urology, VOL. 180, NO. 2, (515-519), Online publication date: 1-Aug-2008.Kassouf W, Sanchez-Ortiz R, Tamboli P, Tannir N, Jonasch E, Merchant M, Matin S, Swanson D and Wood C (2007) Cytoreductive Nephrectomy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma With Nonclear Cell HistologyJournal of Urology, VOL. 178, NO. 5, (1896-1900), Online publication date: 1-Nov-2007.Blute M, Boorjian S, Leibovich B, Lohse C, Frank I and Karnes R (2007) Results of Inferior Vena Caval Interruption by Greenfield Filter, Ligation or Resection During Radical Nephrectomy and Tumor ThrombectomyJournal of Urology, VOL. 178, NO. 2, (440-445), Online publication date: 1-Aug-2007.Rini B and Campbell S (2018) The Evolving Role of Surgery for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Era of Molecular Targeted TherapyJournal of Urology, VOL. 177, NO. 6, (1978-1984), Online publication date: 1-Jun-2007.Krambeck A, Leibovich B, Lohse C, Kwon E, Zincke H and Blute M (2018) The Role of Nephron Sparing Surgery for Metastatic (pM1) Renal Cell CarcinomaJournal of Urology, VOL. 176, NO. 5, (1990-1995), Online publication date: 1-Nov-2006. Volume 171Issue 3March 2004Page: 1071-1076 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2004 by American Urological Association, Inc.Keywordsimmunotherapynephrectomyneoplasm metastasiskidney neoplasmskidneyMetricsAuthor Information ROBERT C. FLANIGAN Financial interest and/or other relationship with National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute), Antigenics and Aventis. More articles by this author G. MICKISCH More articles by this author RICHARD SYLVESTER More articles by this author CATHY TANGEN Financial interest and/or other relationship with Merck. More articles by this author H. VAN POPPEL More articles by this author E. DAVID CRAWFORD More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...