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104 citation(s) found for "Ali, Muhammad".

Platinum chemotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy as used to cooperatively sustain stem-like CD8⁺ T-cell immunity via type I interferon modulation.
Yang, Vivienne , Dong, Zhongyi , Liu, T J, 郭其森, Zhang, H Z, Ni, Bo, Bai, Long, Chen, Yiwen, Zong, Jiasheng, Xia, Xiang, Zheng, Jiaojiao, Pham, Hoang Tran , Parker, Jefferson , Morecroft, Renee, Elalfy, Aya, Ingram, Demarcus, Abdel-Hakeem, Ahmed, Ali, Muhammad, Ni, Bo , Bai, Long, Xia, Xiang, Pham, Hoang Tran, Morecroft, Renée , Elalfy, Aya, Prada, Libardo Rueda , Ali, Muhammad, Zhang, Zizhen

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e14545 Get It

e14545 Background: Durable antitumor immunity depends on the maintenance of stem-like CD8⁺ T cells capable of sustaining long-term effector responses. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are potent immunomodulatory agents that reshape the tumor microenvironment and augment antitumor immunity. We hypothesized that platinum-based chemotherapy alters tumor-intrinsic type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling in a manner that can be functionally restored by OV therapy, thereby promoting the generation and persistence of stem-like CD8⁺ T cells. Methods: Tumor cells treated with platinum chemotherapy were evaluated in vitro for changes in IFN-I pathway activity, OV replication, and markers of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Syngeneic mouse tumor models were used to assess antitumor efficacy and immune remodeling following combination therapy. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing and multiparameter flow cytometry to define CD8⁺ T-cell states and functional programs. Guided by these preclinical findings, a clinical trial combining XELOX, PD-1 blockade, and OV therapy was initiated (ChiCTR2500107607). Results: Platinum chemotherapy significantly suppressed tumor-intrinsic IFN-I signaling, while OV therapy restored antiviral responses, enhanced viral replication, and increased ICD in vitro. In vivo, the combination strategy resulted in superior tumor control and profound remodeling of the tumor immune microenvironment. The most pronounced immunologic effect was observed within the stem-like CD8⁺ T-cell compartment. Combination therapy induced a distinct population of TCF7⁺ ISG15^high NFATC1^low AP-1^low CD8⁺ T cells, characterized by restrained activation, enhanced persistence, and reduced propensity toward terminal exhaustion. In IRF7-deficient tumors, this stem-like CD8⁺ T-cell population failed to emerge and antitumor efficacy was significantly diminished, indicating that moderate tumor-intrinsic IFN-I signaling is required for this immune state. Conclusions: Tumor-intrinsic type I interferon signaling is a critical determinant of synergy between platinum chemotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy, enabling the maintenance of durable stem-like CD8⁺ T-cell immunity. These findings establish a mechanistic rationale for combining platinum chemotherapy, oncolytic viruses, and immune checkpoint blockade and support ongoing clinical translation. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2500107607.
Risk-adapted step-up local therapy for malignant portal vein tumor thrombus from hepatic metastases: A real-world study of microwave ablation with and without iodine-125 seed implantation.
Pham, Hoang Tran , Chun, Li, Bao, Weidong, Tian, Shichao, Zhao, Qingsong, Zhang, Mingyi , Yang, Z Y, Alba, Margarita De, Dong, Zhongyi , Parker, Jefferson , Morecroft, Renee, Elalfy, Aya, COTTLE, CHASEN, Ingram, Demarcus, Abdel-Hakeem, Ahmed, Bains, Shifali, Patel, Parth, Ali, Muhammad, Yang, Vivienne , Pham, Hoang Tran, Morecroft, Renée , Elalfy, Aya, Patel, Parth, Hartzell, Shannon

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 4235-4235

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.4235 Get It

4235 Background: Malignant portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) arising from hepatic metastases is associated with poor prognosis, rapid hepatic decompensation, and limited effective local treatment options despite systemic therapy. In real-world practice, local treatment intensity is frequently adapted to disease burden and treatment response. We evaluated outcomes of a risk-adapted, step-up local treatment strategy using microwave ablation (MWA) alone or in combination with iodine-125 (I-125) seed implantation for patients with malignant PVTT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with hepatic metastases treated with MWA with or without I-125 seed implantation between 2023 and July 2025. In clinical practice, MWA alone was preferentially used for patients with relatively limited disease burden, while MWA plus I-125 was employed as an escalation strategy for patients with more advanced PVTT or disease progression following MWA alone. The primary endpoint was PVTT-directed local outcome, defined as portal vein patency and/or local control of tumor thrombus on follow-up imaging. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), hepatic function changes, and treatment-related toxicity. Survival analyses were considered exploratory. Results: A total of 73 patients were included, of whom 50 were treated with MWA alone and 23 with MWA plus I-125 seed implantation. Patients receiving MWA plus I-125 demonstrated more advanced disease characteristics, including universal presence of PVTT and higher disease stage, consistent with treatment escalation by disease severity. Among patients with PVTT, MWA plus I-125 achieved portal vein patency and/or local control in 65% at first follow-up imaging. Treatment-related toxicities were manageable, with no unexpected grade ≥3 adverse events attributable to I-125 implantation. Median PFS was 11.5 months in patients treated with MWA alone and 9.9 months in patients treated with MWA plus I-125, consistent with greater baseline disease burden in the latter group. Conclusions: MWA alone and MWA plus I-125 function as complementary components of a risk-adapted, step-up local treatment strategy for malignant PVTT from hepatic metastases. Escalation to MWA plus I-125 appears feasible in patients with advanced or refractory PVTT and demonstrates a potential signal for improved PVTT-directed local control and portal vein patency. Prospective studies focused on PVTT-specific endpoints are warranted.
Circulating tumor DNA kinetics as a biomarker of response to enfortumab-pembrolizumab in advanced urothelial carcinoma.
Humayun, Muhammad Abdullah, Oberoi, Japneet Kaur , Ganadily, Naif A., Khan, Muhammad Ali , Jain, Prateek, Basu, Arnab, Zganjar, Andrew , Orme, Jacob J. , Kase, Adam M. , Tyson, Mark D. , Singh, Parminder, Yee, Claire , Jain, Prateek, Childs, Daniel S. , Zakharia, Yousef , Riaz, Irbaz Bin , Singh, Parminder Pal

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 2, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 7_suppl | Pages: 703-703

10.1200/jco.2026.44.7_suppl.703 Get It

703 Background: The association of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reduction with treatment response has been investigated across multiple malignancies. This study aims to assess the impact of ctDNA response on survival outcomes in patients receiving enfortumab-pembrolizumab (EV-P). Methods: We identified 32 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma who received EV-P and had ≥2 ctDNA assessments with ≥1 detectable level. Deep molecular response was defined as >2-log reduction from highest ctDNA detection. Radiographic progression was determined from radiology reports documenting progression by RECIST criteria. Kaplan Meier analyses were performed to compute Hazard Ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for radiographic progression free survival (rPFS), defined as time from treatment start to radiographic progression or death and overall survival (OS) defined as time from treatment start to death were computed. Log-rank tests were performed to compare PFS and OS in patients with deep molecular response to those without response. A p-value <0.05 indicated a statistically significant association with response. Results: Thirty-two patients were included (median age 71 years; range 39–90). Median follow-up was 10.6 months. At cutoff (10/1/2025), 26 patients were alive and 6 had died. Seventeen (53%) achieved a ≥2-log ctDNA reduction (responders), while 15 (47%) did not (non-responders). Progression-free survival was significantly longer in responders (log-rank P < 0.001); median PFS was 5.9 months (95% CI 2.4–NR) in non-responders and not reached in responders (HR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02–0.44; P = 0.0026). Median overall survival was 12.7 months (95% CI 10.0–NR) in non-responders versus not reached in responders (log-rank P = 0.011; HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01–0.88; P = 0.037). At cutoff, 94% of responders and 67% of non-responders were alive. Conclusions: Achieving a >2-log decrease in ctDNA during EV + Pembrolizumab therapy was significantly associated with improved progression free and overall survival. These findings support ctDNA kinetics as a potential early biomarker of response warranting prospective validation. Clinical outcomes by >2-log ctDNA reduction status. Endpoint > 2-log drop (n = 17 ≤ 2-log drop (n = 15) Log-rank p Median (mo) ≤ 2-log > 2-log HR (95% CI) P C-index PFS 2 events (12%) 10 events (67%) 0.0002 5.9 (2.4–NA) NR 0.09 (0.02–0.44) 0.0026 0.77 OS 1 event (6%) 6 events (40%) 0.011 12.7 (10.0–NA) NR 0.11 (0.01–0.88) 0.037 0.73
Leveraging large language models (LLM) to guide adjuvant treatment recommendations for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after nephrectomy.
Mohammed, Arshad, Ayub, Umair , Khan, Muhammad Ali , Sadiq, Muhammad Hussnain , Sarfraz, Muhammad Uzair, Heath, Elisabeth I. , Basu, Arnab, Nahhat, Fouad , Abbas, Mousab Al, Childs, Daniel S. , Singh, Parminder Pal , Zakharia, Yousef , Riaz, Irbaz Bin

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 2, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 7_suppl | Pages: 567-567

10.1200/jco.2026.44.7_suppl.567 Get It

567 Background: Selecting adjuvant therapy after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) requires reviewing scattered electronic health records (EHR) and performing accurate eligibility and risk assessments. Large Language Models (LLMs) may assist physicians by extracting key clinical data and generating evidence-based recommendations between active surveillance and adjuvant pembrolizumab. Methods: We selected RCC patients who underwent nephrectomy at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota between December 2021 and September 2025. Data extraction from EHRs was performed by a HIPAA-compliant LLM (GPT-5 and Gemini 2.0-Flash-001) and compared to human labels. Data on patients’ demographics, medical history, pathology, laboratory results, and imaging were collected. GPT-5 generated treatment recommendations using a structured prompt that incorporated patients’ features and relevant clinical information that is available to clinicians. Concordance between the human labels and LLM was evaluated for extraction. For treatment recommendations, agreement between the LLM’s output and physician’s documented recommendation in clinical notes was assessed, with disagreements reviewed independently by two blinded genitourinary oncologists. Results: The dataset included 85 patients, median (range) age of 65 (34-84) years; 24.7% were females. Patients who declined adjuvant treatment for personal reasons were excluded. LLM achieved an extraction accuracy of 95% for presenting symptoms, 97% for BMI and ECOG, and > 99% for pathology variables. Concordance between LLM and physician treatment recommendations was 84.7% (72/85). Among 13 discrepant cases, one oncologist agreed with the LLM in 9 cases and the other in 8. The main reasons for disagreement between the physicians and the LLM were that the LLM favored active surveillance for patients with declining renal function, whereas physicians still considered adjuvant pembrolizumab appropriate in such cases. Additionally, the LLM demonstrated hesitancy to recommend pembrolizumab for patients with low performance status. Overall, the 13 discrepant cases were nuanced and challenging, with disagreement observed between the two oncologists themselves in three instances. Conclusions: LLMs demonstrated high accuracy in extracting clinically relevant variables and generating objective, evidence-based adjuvant treatment recommendations for RCC after nephrectomy. Importantly, LLM did not generate any inappropriate or potentially harmful recommendations. Our pipeline can serve as a supportive decision tool to enhance consistency in post-nephrectomy management and assist physicians in choosing between active surveillance and adjuvant pembrolizumab. However, final treatment decisions should remain the responsibility of the treating physician after comprehensive patient evaluation.
Differential quality of life (QoL) with novel hormonal therapy (NHT) in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC): A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Sarfraz, Muhammad Uzair, Naqvi, Syed Arsalan Ahmed , Sadiq, Muhammad Hussnain , Khan, Muhammad Ali, Chohan, Yashveer, Basu, Arnab, Heath, Elisabeth I., Singh, Parminder, Childs, Daniel S. , Heath, Elisabeth I., Singh, Parminder Pal , Zakharia, Yousef , Riaz, Irbaz Bin

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 2, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 7_suppl | Pages: 360-360

10.1200/jco.2026.44.7_suppl.360 Get It

360 Background: Adding NHT to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves survival in mCSPC, but their comparative impact on patient-reported QoL and time to deterioration (TTD) across FACT-P domains remains underexplored. Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched from each database’s inception through August 21, 2025, to identify Phase III trials assessing NHT treatment in mCSPC. Time to FACT-P (total, physical, emotional, functional, and social/family well-being) deterioration across trials with the latest follow up were extracted. Hazards ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled and mixed treatment comparisons were made using network meta-analysis. P-scores were computed; a higher score indicated better QoL. Results: A total of 4 trials (12 references) with 4,037 patients met the inclusion criteria with median follow up ranging from 14.4 months to 30 months. Median time to QoL deterioration ranged from 11.4 to 12.9 months. In terms of FACT-P overall, darolutamide (DARO)+ADT (HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.62-0.93), abiraterone acetate (AAP)+ADT (0.85; 0.73-0.98) significantly improved TTD as compared to ADT alone. DARO+ADT was associated with significant improvement in TTD when compared to APA+ADT (0.75; 0.56-0.98). In terms of FACT-P social/family wellbeing, DARO+ADT significantly improved TTD when compared to AAP+ADT (0.75; 0.57-0.96), and ADT (0.79; 0.64-0.98). Likewise, ENZA+ADT significantly improved TTD when compared to AAP+ADT (0.77; 0.63-0.95), APA+ADT (0.88; 0.61-0.99) and ADT (0.82; 0.70-0.95). However, there was no statistically significant difference between DARO+ADT and ENZA+ADT. In terms of FACT-P physical wellbeing, AAP+ADT was associated with statistically significant improvement in TTD when compared to APA+ADT (0.66; 0.52-0.83), ENZA+ADT (0.74; 0.61-0.90), and ADT (0.75; 0.65-0.87). In terms of FACT-P functional wellbeing, DARO+ADT was associated with statistically significant improvement in TTD when compared to ADT (0.78; 0.63-0.96). The ranking analysis is showed in Table. Conclusions: Novel hormonal therapies significantly delay QoL deterioration in mCSPC, particularly across overall, emotional, and functional domains. Domain-specific analyses suggest darolutamide may preserve social/family and functional well-being, while abiraterone favors physical well-being. Rank table. Rank (P-score) FACT-Ptotal FACT-Psocial/family FACT-Pphysical FACT-Pfunctional FACT-Pemotional AAP+ADT 2 (0.73) 5 (0.18) 1 (0.98) 2 (0.62) 3 (0.52) APA+ADT 5 (0.17) 4 (0.22) 5 (0.07) 4 (0.33) 4 (0.52) DARO+ADT 1 (0.90) 1 (0.88) 2 (0.68) 1 (0.92) 2 (0.66) ENZA+ADT 3 (0.50) 2 (0.84) 4 (0.36) 3 (0.52) 1 (0.67) ADT 4 (0.18) 3 (0.38) 3 (0.42) 5 (0.11) 5 (0.13)
Impact of GLP1 receptor agonists on severity of prostate cancer at diagnosis: A propensity score weighted analysis.
Khan, Muhammad Ali, Shah, V., Afzal, M. , Cobran, Ewan Kemar, Basu, Arnab, Guha, Avirup, Agarwal, Neeraj, Heath, Elisabeth I. , Singh, Parminder, Guha, Avirup , Guha, Avirup , Cobran, Ewan K. , Childs, Daniel S. , Agarwal, Neeraj , Bryce, Alan H. , Singh, Parminder Pal , Zakharia, Yousef , Riaz, Irbaz Bin

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 2, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 7_suppl | Pages: 352-352

10.1200/jco.2026.44.7_suppl.352 Get It

352 Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor expression in prostate cancer tissue has raised concerns that GLP1 receptor agonists (GLP1A) may influence tumor growth or progression. We compared prostate cancer severity at diagnosis among patients receiving GLP1A versus other glucose lowering therapies. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified patients who received GLP1A or alternative second-line glucose lowering agents (DPP4/SGLT2 inhibitors) and were subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Patients receiving both drug classes were excluded. Baseline demographics (race, ethnicity, age), comorbidities (diabetes, myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease) concomitant medications (insulin, metformin, statins), appointments (within past year) and laboratory values (HbA1c, eGFR) at therapy initiation were recorded. Primary outcomes included Gleason grade group and metastatic presentation within three months of diagnosis. Propensity score matching balanced baseline characteristics between groups. Mann-Whitney U tests compared grade groups. Chi-square tests compared metastatic presentation, reporting odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of grade group (low-grade: 1-2; high-grade: ≥3) and metastatic presentation, reporting OR with 95% CI. A p value <0.05 indicated a significant association. Results: Of 260 propensity-matched patients (GLP1A: 130, comparison: 130), 87% were White and 95% were Non-Hispanic/Non-Latino in each group. Median HbA1c was 7% (IQR: 6.4-8) in GLP1A group versus 7.5% (6.2-8.5) in comparison group. Median eGFR was 75mL/min/1.73m 2 (IQR: 61.5-90.0) in GLP1A group versus 60.0 (52.0-80.5) in comparison group. High-grade disease occurred in 33 (25%) GLP1A patients and 37 (29%) comparison patients. Among patients with available imaging (GLP1A: 40; comparison: 32), metastatic presentation occurred in 7 (18%) GLP1A group and 7 (22%) comparison group patients. No significant differences were observed in grade group (GLP1A median: 2; IQR: 1-2 vs. comparison median: 2; 1-3; p=0.44) or metastatic presentation (OR: 1.32; 95%CI: 0.41-4.25; p=0.64) between groups. In multivariable analysis, higher HbA1c was associated with high-grade disease in GLP1A group (OR: 1.83; 95%CI: 1.07-3.35; p=0.03) while higher eGFR was associated with low-grade disease in the comparison group (0.97; 0.93-0.99; p=0.04). Conclusions: GLP1A use was not associated with prostate cancer grade or metastatic presentation at diagnosis compared to alternative glucose-lowering agents. However, the association between elevated HbA1c and high-grade disease in GLP1A patients suggests a potential impact of poor glycemic control on tumor biology. Prospective studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between metabolic dysregulation and prostate cancer severity.
Cardiovascular toxicity with androgen-receptor pathway inhibitors in metastatic prostate cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized trials.
Sadiq, Muhammad Hussnain , Sarfraz, Muhammad Uzair, Khan, Muhammad Ali, Tahir, Haris Bin, Naqvi, Syed Arsalan Ahmed , Guha, Avirup, Singh, Parminder, Nahhat, Fouad , Tahir, Haris Bin , Guha, Avirup , Zakharia, Yousef , Singh, Parminder Pal , Riaz, Irbaz Bin

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 2, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 7_suppl | Pages: 145-145

10.1200/jco.2026.44.7_suppl.145 Get It

145 Background: Multiple trials have demonstrated addition of androgen-receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) improve survival in patients with metastatic prostate cancer but there is a need to quantify cardiovascular toxicity. Understanding the nature and extent of ARPI-associated cardiovascular adverse events across disease states and toxicity grades is critical to inform treatment decisions and long-term patient safety. Methods: MEDLINE, and EMBASE were systematically searched from database inception through August 30, 2025, for phase III randomized controlled trials evaluating abiraterone, enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide, orteronel in metastatic prostate cancer. Trials were included if they reported CVS toxicity. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed to assess the difference of all-cause and treatment-emergent cardiovascular adverse events between ARPI+ADT and ADT alone. Summary effects were expressed as relative risk (RR) with associated 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 21 trials (45 references) with 25,576 patients (mCSPC: 12,537, mCRPC: 13,039) were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to ADT alone, ARPI+ADT significantly increased the risk of all cause, all grade hypertension in both mCSPC (RR 1.60, 1.22–2.10) and mCRPC (RR 1.61, 1.20–2.16) as well as grade ≥ 3 hypertension (RR 1.71, 1.17–2.48) in mCRPC setting. There was an increased risk of all-cause, all grade acute coronary syndrome (RR 2.21, 1.09–4.49) and AV nodal disease (RR 2.53, 1.18–5.43) with ARPI+ADT compared to ADT alone in mCSPC setting. There was increased risk of all cause, all grade, any cardiac events (RR 1.30, 1.10–1.54) as well as grade ≥ 3 any cardiac events (RR 1.70, 1.20–2.42) in mCRPC setting. Risk of all cause, all grade hot flashes (RR 1.47, 1.16–1.85) was also significantly increased with ARPI+ADT when compared to ADT alone. In terms of treatment-emergent adverse effects, a significant increase was observed only for pulmonary embolism with ARPI+ADT when compared to ADT alone (RR 1.66, 1.06–2.60) in mCRPC setting. Conclusions: Current evidence indicates potentially increased risk of hypertension, venous thromboembolic, and ischemic cardiac events with ARPI therapy in metastatic prostate cancer. Proactive CV risk assessment, particularly in patients with preexisting comorbidities or prolonged ARPI exposure, may optimize outcomes and minimize treatment interruptions. All cause adverse events. Adverse Event Disease State All Grade Grade ≥3 Any Cardiac Event mCSPC 0.81 (0.37–1.76) 0.88 (0.16–4.64) mCRPC 1.30 (1.10–1.54) 1.70 (1.20–2.42) Hypertension mCSPC 1.60 (1.22–2.10) 1.43 (0.82–2.52) mCRPC 1.61 (1.20–2.16) 1.71 (1.17–2.48) ACS mCSPC 2.21 (1.09–4.49) 1.77 (0.86–3.61) mCRPC – – Hot Flashes mCSPC – – mCRPC 1.47 (1.16–1.85) 1.46 (0.21–9.97)
Comparative real-world survival and prescription patterns of darolutamide versus apalutamide in non-metastatic hormone-resistant prostate cancer.
Afzal, M. , Mi, Lanyu , Motamed, Mehrdad, Riaz, Zaryab Bin, Khan, Muhammad Ali, Nahle, Tarek , Sadiq, Muhammad Hussnain , Chohan, Yashveer, Shah, V., Cobran, Ewan Kemar, Riaz, Irbaz Bin , Saleem, Yusra, Cobran, Ewan K.

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 2, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 7_suppl | Pages: 129-129

10.1200/jco.2026.44.7_suppl.129 Get It

129 Background: Androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) improve metastasis-free and overall survival in men with non-metastatic hormone-resistant prostate cancer (nmHRPC). Apalutamide and darolutamide were approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 2018 and 2019, respectively, based on pivotal clinical trials showing similar efficacy. However, no head-to-head comparisons exist in real-world settings. We compared prescription patterns and survival outcomes between apalutamide and darolutamide in men with nmHRPC using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data. Methods: We identified men aged ≥66 years with localized or locoregional prostate cancer between 2000 and 2021 using the SEER-Medicare linked database. Eligible patients initiated apalutamide or darolutamide between January 2019 and December 2021, defined by Medicare Part D claims. The index date was the first prescription of either agent. Men with distant metastases, prior malignancies and age ≤65 were excluded. Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics were compared using chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality. Results: Among 582 men with nmHRPC, 435 (74.7%) received apalutamide and 147 (25.3%) received darolutamide. The mean age at diagnosis was 73.8 vs 74.1 years (p=0.95). Most patients were White (84.6% vs 81.0%, p=0.21) and resided in metropolitan areas (85.0% vs 88.4%, p=0.39). Darolutamide use was more frequent in the Northeast (42.9% vs 24.6%, p<0.001), while apalutamide was more common in the South (28.7% vs 15.6%, p<0.001). Patients receiving darolutamide had higher-grade tumors (68.0% grade III vs 51.3%, p=0.002) and a longer median time from diagnosis to prescription (93 vs 64 months, p<0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves and adjusted Cox models showed no significant difference in overall survival (HR 1.00; 95% CI 0.51–1.98; p=1.00). Age was independently associated with mortality (HR 1.05 per year; 95% CI 1.00–1.10; p=0.04). Conclusions: Apalutamide and darolutamide demonstrated comparable real-world survival outcomes in nmHRPC. Geographic and clinical factors influenced prescribing patterns, but survival did not differ between agents. Treatment choice may therefore be guided by patient comorbidities, tolerability, and clinician preference. Variable Comparison HR (95% CI) P-Value Treatment Darolutamide vs Apalutamide 1.00 (0.51,1.98) 1.00 Age at Diagnosis 1.05 (1.00, 1.10) 0.04* Race White vs Non-White 0.71 (0.28, 1.80) 0.47 Marital Status Married vs Unmarried 1.29 (0.60, 2.75) 0.51 Geographic Region -Midwest vs West 1.18 (0.34, 4.15) 0.79 -Northeast vs West 1.92 (0.92, 3.88) 0.07 -South vs West 1.01 (0.43, 2.36) 0.99
Immune checkpoint inhibitor combinations in sarcomatoid metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Kumar, Priya, Riaz, Zaryab Bin, Marsool, Mohammed Dheyaa, Sarfraz, Muhammad Uzair, Khan, Muhammad Ali, Barker, Kenneth, Chohan, Yashveer, Abdul-Muhsin, Haidar, Basu, Arnab, Singh, Parminder, Barker, Kenneth N. , Marsool, Mohammed Dheyaa Marsool , Khan, Muhammad Ali, Childs, Daniel S. , Singh, Parminder Pal , Riaz, Irbaz Bin , Zakharia, Yousef

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 2, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 7_suppl | Pages: 483-483

10.1200/jco.2026.44.7_suppl.483 Get It

483 Background: Sarcomatoid dedifferentiation (sRCC) in metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) confers aggressive disease and poor prognosis. We maintain a living meta-analysis of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)–based combinations in mccRCC (Riaz et al., Eur Urol Oncol 2021), which demonstrated improved survival with ICI-based regimens over sunitinib. Here, we present an updated synthesis focused on the comparative efficacy of ICI combinations in the sarcomatoid subset. Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL through October 2025 was performed as part of our living meta-analysis of first-line mccRCC therapy. Eligible phase III RCTs compared ICI combinations (IO/IO or IO/TKI) versus sunitinib, including CheckMate 214, CheckMate 9ER, KEYNOTE-426, CLEAR/KEYNOTE-581, JAVELIN Renal 101, and IMmotion151. Extracted outcomes included overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and objective (ORR), complete (CR), and partial (PR) response rates. Random-effects meta-analyses generated pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for time-to-event outcomes and risk ratios (RRs) for response rates with 95% confidence intervals. Subgroup interaction analyses compared sarcomatoid versus non-sarcomatoid subgroups, with p < 0.1 considered significant. Results: Six phase III RCTs (n = 5,121; 624 sarcomatoid) were included. Across all ICI-based combinations, ICI therapy improved outcomes versus sunitinib in both sarcomatoid and non-sarcomatoid disease. In the pooled analysis, the OS interaction favored sRCC meeting the prespecified significance threshold for subgroup analyses (HR 0.53 vs 0.68; p-interaction = 0.06 < 0.10), while no significant interaction was seen for PFS. Response outcomes showed the strongest differential benefit, particularly with IO/TKI regimens. IO/IO results were directionally consistent but limited by smaller non-sarcomatoid samples. Conclusions: ICI-based combinations significantly improve survival and response outcomes versus sunitinib in mccRCC. Using a prespecified α = 0.10 for interaction testing, the pooled analysis showed a significant OS interaction and higher response rates in sRCC, indicating enhanced ICI sensitivity. These updated meta-analysis data support ICI regimens as the preferred first-line therapy for mRCC with sarcomatoid de-differentiation. Endpoint Regimen Subgroup (S = sarcomatoid; NS = non-sarcomatoid) Effect (95% CI) p-interaction PFS IO/IO S 0.51 (0.40–0.65) – IO/TKI S vs NS 0.48 (0.36–0.64) vs 0.46 (0.39–0.52) 0.81 OS IO/IO S 0.54 (0.07–4.42) – IO/TKI S vs NS 0.51 (0.17–1.48) vs 0.68 (0.30–1.58) 0.24 ORR IO/IO S 2.93 (0.49–17.37) – IO/TKI S vs NS 2.43 (1.84–3.21) vs 1.95 (1.67–2.28) 0.03 CR IO/IO S 3.81 (0.82–17.71) – IO/TKI S vs NS 5.93 (4.73–7.42) vs 2.85 (0.10–83.73) 0.007 PR IO/IO S 3.48 (1.70–7.11) – IO/TKI S vs NS 2.10 (1.78–2.47) vs 1.75 (1.18–2.61) <0.001
Clinical efficacy of belzutifan in pre-treated renal cell carcinoma: A real world retrospective cohort benchmarked to LITESPARK-005.
Khan, Muhammad Ali, Sarfraz, Muhammad Uzair, Marsool, Mohammed Dheyaa, Kumar, Priya, Basu, Arnab, Abdul-Muhsin, Haidar, Abbas, Mousab Al, Marsool, Mohammed Dheyaa Marsool , Childs, Daniel S. , Riaz, Irbaz Bin , Zakharia, Yousef

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 2, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 7_suppl | Pages: 464-464

10.1200/jco.2026.44.7_suppl.464 Get It

464 Background: Based on LITESPARK-005 trail, Belzutifan was FDA-approved to treat advanced RCC following ICI and a VEGF-TKI. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to report the real-world outcomes of Belzutifan in pre-treated RCC patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients who received Belzutifan at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center between Dec 2023 and Sep 2025 was conducted. Patients treated for sporadic RCC were eligible; those with von Hippel–Lindau disease, non-RCC pathologies (e.g., Pheochromocytoma, ovarian cancer) were excluded. Radiologic response was assessed by trained curators using RECIST-defined criteria, approximated through systematic review of radiology reports with clinician adjudication when needed. Progression-free survival (PFS), defined as the time from treatment initiation to radiographic progression or death, was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Non-progressors were censored at the last radiology assessment. Patients who discontinued therapy for non-progression reasons were censored at the last radiology assessment prior to discontinuation. Any-cause hypoxia and anemia were reported using CTCAEv5 definitions. Results: A total of 158 patients were identified; 83 (52.5%) who received Belzutifan for sporadic RCC were included. The remaining were excluded for VHL disease (68, 43%) or other pathologies (7, 4.4%). Median follow up was 12 months, 67% were male, median age was 70 (range 39, 94) with 57 patients (69%) were ≥ 65. 28 patients (34%) had a poor IMDC score at baseline. The cohort received a median of 3 previous lines of therapy (range 1,8). Median treatment duration was 3 months (IQR: 1-9.5). Median PFS was 5.7 months (95% CI, 3.8–8.7). At 12 and 18 months, 23.1% and 13.9% of patients, respectively, remained alive and progression-free. Corresponding OS rates at these time points were 60.2% and 51.5%. A confirmed ORR occurred in 12 patients (14.4%). Hypoxia occurred in 44 (53%) patients, median onset 31 days (range 1–270) and 29 (34.9%) required hospitalizations. Median hemoglobin (Hb) levels at baseline were 12.65 g/dl (range, 7.2-15.5), and 68 (82%) patients developed Hb decline on Belzutifan, 27 (32.5%) required transfusions. Conclusions: In an older, high-risk cohort with higher number of prior lines of therapy, Belzutifan yielded PFS/OS and ORR landmarks comparable to the trial supporting its effectiveness in the real world. Outcomes compared with LITESPARK-005 trial. Variable Real world cohort (Mayo Clinic) LITESPARK-005, Belzutifan arm Median PFS (months, 95% CI) 5.7 (3.8-8.7) 5.6 (3.9-7) 12-month PFS rate (%, 95% CI) 23.1% (14.4-33.4) 33.4% (28.4-33.5) 18-month PFS rate (%, 95% CI) 13.9% (7.7-23.9) 24% (19-29.4) 12-month OS rate (%, 95% CI) 60.2% (48.9-70.8) 67.9% (62.9-72.4) 18-month OS rate (%, 95% CI) 51.5% (40.6-62.9) 55.2% (50-60.1) ORR (%, 95% CI) 14.4% (7.7-23.9) 21.9% (17.8-26.5)