Association of the neutrophil to eosinophil ratio with response to immunotherapy-based combinations in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Authors

null

Matthew D Tucker

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Matthew D Tucker , Katy Beckermann , Kristin Kathleen Ancell , Kerry Schaffer , Renee McAlister , Deborah Wallace , Elizabeth Kaiser , Nancy B. Davis , W. Kimryn Rathmell , Brian I. Rini

Organizations

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: Neutrophilia is known to be associated with worse prognosis in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC); however, less is known about the role of eosinophils in the response to immunotherapy (IO). We investigated the association of the baseline neutrophil to eosinophil ratio (NER) with outcomes to IO-based combination treatment in mRCC. Methods: Patients with mRCC treated with ipilimumab plus nivolumab, pembrolizumab plus axitinib, or avelumab plus axitinib at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center were retrospectively identified. Patients on >10mg prednisone and patients with prior IO were excluded. Baseline NER (at time of first IO) and association with progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and objective response rate (ORR) were investigated. Data cutoff was 9/1/2020. Analysis for PFS and OS was performed using the log-rank test and Mantel-Haenszel method, and analysis of the odds ratio for ORR was performed using Fischer’s exact test. Results: Sixty-one patients were identified: 89% clear cell histology, 74% prior nephrectomy, 69% IMDC intermediate risk, and 72% treatment-naïve. Patients with baseline NER < median (N=31) had improved clinical outcomes compared to patients with baseline NER > median (N=30) (Table). Improvement in PFS by NER was maintained when stratified by anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 and anti-PD(L)-1/VEGF (p= 0.0062 and p= 0.049); however, differences in OS and ORR were no longer significant. The median baseline NER among patients with partial response (PR) was significantly lower at 22.7 (95% CI 18.9-31.1) vs. 51.6 (95% CI 39.5-93.1) among those with progressive disease (PD) (p= 0.0054). For comparison, the median neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was not significantly different between PR (2.60) and PD (3.84, p= 0.056). Conclusions: Patients with a low baseline NER treated with IO-based combinations had improved clinical outcomes compared to patients with a high baseline NER. Additional investigation of this parameter in larger cohorts is warranted.

Clinical outcomes according to median neutrophil to eosinophil ratio (NER).

All Patients
(N= 61)
NER < median
(N= 31)
NER > median
(N= 30)
Median PFS17.9 months3.2 monthsHR 0.32 (95% CI: 0.17- 0.62);
p= 0.0007
Median OSNot reached27.3 monthsHR 0.27 (95% CI: 0.11- 0.70);
p= 0.0070
ORR52%20%OR 4.27 (95% CI: 1.45-14.38); p=0.0159
Treatment
Ipi+Nivo58% (18)67% (20)
Pembro+Axi29% (9)23% (7)
Avel+Axi13% (4)10% (3)
IMDC Risk Category
Favorable29% (9)10% (3)
Intermediate68% (21)70% (21)
Poor3% (1)20% (6)
Ipi+Nivo Only
(N= 38)
NER < median
(N= 18)
NER > median
(N= 20)
Median PFS8.5 months2.6 monthsHR 0.34 (95% CI: 0.16- 0.74);
p= 0.0062
IO/VEGF Only
(N= 23)
NER < median
(N= 13)
NER > median
(N= 10)
Median PFS26.7 months12.8 monthsHR 0.29 (95% CI: 0.08- 0.99);
p= 0.0493

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session: Renal Cell Cancer

Track

Renal Cell Cancer

Sub Track

Tumor Biology, Biomarkers, and Pathology

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 6; abstr 341)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2021.39.6_suppl.341

Abstract #

341

Poster Bd #

Online Only

Abstract Disclosures