Efficacy and safety of sorafenib for advanced renal cell carcinoma: real-world data of patients with renal impairment

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively analysed the efficacy and safety of sorafenib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma with renal impairment. METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) cut-off of 45 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Background factors considered to affect prognosis were well balanced by propensity score matching between the groups. Demographics, dose modification, adverse events, tumour response, progression-free survival, and renal function (eGFR) were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 935 and 2008 patients with an eGFR of <45 and ≥45, respectively, 613 pairs were matched. The mean starting dose was significantly lower in patients with an eGFR of <45; however, the mean daily dose, median treatment duration, progression-free survival, and tumour response were similar between the groups. In terms of safety, no significant differences were found in serious adverse events, although cytopaenia (16.6% vs 10.6%) and renal dysfunction (4.4% vs 0.7%) were higher in patients with an eGFR of <45 than ≥45 in all adverse events. There were also no differences in dose modification, including dose reduction, dose interruption, and treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Throughout the 12-month observation period, sorafenib in patients with an eGFR of <45 and ≥45 showed similar safety and efficacy, and treatment was continued without affecting renal function.