Study of Belzutifan with Lenvatinib versus Cabozantinib in Adults with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Who Have Previously Received Anti-PD-1/L1 Treatment
This clinical trial focuses on treating advanced renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer) that has clear cell features and has gotten worse after previous treatment. The study tests two different treatment approaches. The first approach combines two medications: belzutifan and lenvatinib. The second approach uses a single medication called cabozantinib. These medications are taken by mouth in the form of tablets or capsules.
The purpose of this study is to compare how well these two treatment approaches work in people whose cancer has progressed after receiving a specific type of immunotherapy (anti-PD-1/L1 therapy). The study will measure which treatment is better at stopping the cancer from growing and helping patients live longer.
During the study, participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the combination of belzutifan and lenvatinib or cabozantinib alone. The treatment will continue for up to 46 months, as long as it is working and the side effects are manageable. Throughout the study, doctors will regularly check the participants’ health and monitor how their cancer responds to the treatment.
1Initial evaluation
Your eligibility for the study will be assessed based on having advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) with clear cell component
Your medical history will be reviewed, particularly previous treatments with anti-PD-1/L1 therapy
Your blood pressure and overall physical condition will be evaluated
Your organ function will be assessed through medical tests
2Treatment assignment
You will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups:
Group 1: Combination of belzutifan (tablets) and lenvatinib (capsules) taken by mouth
Group 2: Cabozantinib taken by mouth
3Treatment period
You will take the assigned medication orally according to the prescribed schedule
Regular assessments will be conducted to monitor your tumor response using imaging scans
Your health status and any side effects will be monitored throughout the treatment
Treatment will continue until disease progression or other stopping criteria are met
4Safety monitoring
Regular medical check-ups will be performed to monitor your health
Any side effects or adverse events will be recorded and assessed
Blood pressure and organ function will be monitored regularly
You may need to use appropriate birth control methods during treatment and for a specified period afterward (30-120 days depending on treatment group)
5Follow-up period
Your health status will continue to be monitored after treatment completion
Regular assessments will track your cancer progression status
The study is expected to continue until February 2026
Who Can Join the Study?
You must have advanced kidney cancer (specifically clear cell renal cell carcinoma) that cannot be surgically removed or has spread to other parts of the body
Your organs must be functioning properly
You must have had your cancer progress during or after treatment with immunotherapy (anti-PD-1/L1 therapy), either as initial treatment or after surgery
Your cancer must be measurable using special imaging techniques
You must have good physical function, with a Karnofsky performance score of at least 70% (able to care for yourself but unable to carry out normal activities)
You must have received no more than 2 previous cancer treatments
You must have received only 1 previous immunotherapy treatment
Your blood pressure must be well controlled
If you are a male participant, you must agree to use contraception during treatment and for at least 7 days after the last dose
If you are a female participant, you must not be pregnant or breastfeeding, and either:
Be unable to have children, or
Agree to use contraception during treatment and for at least 30-120 days after the last dose, depending on treatment group
Who Cannot Join the Study?
Prior treatment with belzutifan (a medication that targets cancer cells) or cabozantinib (a type of targeted therapy)
Active brain metastases (cancer that has spread to the brain)
Severe heart conditions, including:
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Heart attack within the last 6 months
Unstable heart rhythm problems
Severe liver problems or abnormal liver function tests
Known HIV infection
Active hepatitis B or C infection
Other active cancers requiring treatment (except for certain skin cancers or early-stage cancers that have been successfully treated)
Major surgery within 3 weeks before starting the study treatment
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Unable to swallow oral medications
Any serious medical condition that could interfere with study participation or make it unsafe
Participation in another clinical trial within 4 weeks before starting this study
Belzutifan (also known as MK-6482) is a medication that works by blocking a protein involved in cancer growth. It is being studied as a treatment for advanced kidney cancer in patients whose cancer has progressed after previous immunotherapy treatments.
Lenvatinib (also known as MK-7902) is a medication that helps stop cancer cells from growing and forming new blood vessels. It works by blocking specific proteins that cancer cells need to grow and spread. It is already approved for treating several types of cancer, including kidney cancer.
Cabozantinib is a medication that targets multiple proteins involved in cancer growth and spread. It works by blocking signals that cancer cells use to grow and create new blood vessels. It is currently used to treat advanced kidney cancer and has shown effectiveness in patients who have tried other treatments.
The trial studies the combination of belzutifan and lenvatinib compared to cabozantinib alone in treating advanced kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) in patients whose cancer has progressed after receiving a specific type of immunotherapy.
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) – A type of kidney cancer that begins in the lining of small tubes within the kidneys. The clear cell variant is the most common form of RCC, characterized by cells that appear clear or pale when viewed under a microscope. The disease typically develops in the kidney’s outer layer and can grow into a tumor over time. As it advances, the cancer may spread beyond the kidney to nearby lymph nodes or other organs. The clear cell component refers to the specific appearance of the cancer cells when examined in a laboratory.
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