The combination of lenvatinib (Lenvima) plus pembrolizumab (Keytruda) continues to demonstrate robust and durable efficacy in advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC), according to updated analyses from the phase 3 CLEAR trial (NCT02811861) presented at the 2025 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
The latest findings focus on two critical aspects of treatment response: the impact of tumor burden at progression and changes in International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk classification from baseline. These analyses provide deeper insights into how disease characteristics evolve throughout the treatment journey and their influence on patient outcomes.
Clinical Impact and Treatment Implications
"Our updated results of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab confirm the robustness of the original data," states Dr. Thomas Hutson, division chief of hematology/medical oncology and director of the UMC Cancer Center at Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine. "Doctors should feel very comfortable, and patients should feel very secure that this regimen is going to provide them the stated benefits."
The combination therapy has established itself as one of the most active treatment options available for aRCC patients. Dr. Hutson emphasizes that the regimen has "stood the test of time," reinforcing its position as a leading therapeutic choice in the advanced RCC treatment landscape.
Treatment Response and Disease Evolution
The new analyses presented at the symposium shed light on how tumor characteristics and risk classifications change during treatment, offering valuable information for clinical decision-making. This understanding of disease evolution helps oncologists optimize treatment strategies and better predict patient outcomes.
Practical Implementation
For community oncologists, these findings provide important practical guidance for implementing the lenvatinib-pembrolizumab combination in clinical practice. The sustained efficacy data supports confident decision-making when selecting treatment options for patients with advanced RCC.
The continued positive results from the CLEAR trial strengthen the evidence base for this combination therapy, providing reassurance to both healthcare providers and patients about its role in managing advanced renal cell carcinoma.
