Researchers tested an existing cancer drug, panitumumab (Vectibix), in a rare and aggressive kidney cancer called SMARCB1-deficient renal medullary carcinoma. Because the drug is already approved for other cancers, they were able to quickly run a multi-region study in North America and Europe.
In 26 heavily pretreated patients, the results were stronger than expected. About 54% of patients had their tumors shrink, and about 15% had no detectable cancer after treatment. The time before the cancer got worse was about 5.8 months, which is better than what is usually seen in this disease. Overall survival was about 9.5 months, suggesting meaningful benefit in a cancer that typically has very limited treatment options.
Based on these results, researchers are now collecting more data from over 40 additional patients to confirm the findings. They are also exploring whether the treatment could be used earlier in the disease course, especially in patients with the most aggressive tumors, or as a way to shrink tumors before surgery in advanced cases.