In this podcast, UROONCO RCC associate editor Dr. Teele Kuusk (GB) talks with medical oncologist Prof. Laurence Albiges (FR), Head of the Department of Oncology at Gustave Roussy, about her abstract: Belzutifan versus everolimus in participants with previously treated advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): Randomised open-label phase III LITESPARK-005 study.

Prof. Albiges discusses the study results she presented at ESMO 2023. LITESPARK-005 established HIF-2a inhibition as a novel therapeutic mechanism of action in advanced clear cell RCC. Belzutifan demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate versus everolimus.

LITESPARK-005 is the first positive phase 3 study in patients with advanced kidney cancer following immune checkpoint and anti-angiogenic therapies.

Prof. Albiges also answers a question about why everolimus was used as a comparator in this trial. Looking at the future, she shares her vision of how Belzutifan (the new HIF inhibitor) can be used for metastatic kidney cancer patients.

Lastly, Prof. Albiges talks about what trials are ongoing that will position Belzutifan on the treatment line. Belzutifan is currently being studied in combination in second-line, first-line, and adjuvant settings in phase 3 studies.