Journal Article

DKFZ-2026-01347

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Papillary renal cell carcinoma - exploratory results of the SUNNIFORECAST trial comparing Ipilimumab plus Nivolumab vs standard of care as first line therapy based on central pathological review.

Ahrens, M. ; Haanen, J. ; Albiges, L. ; Goupil, M. G. ; Boleti, E. ; Gravis, G. ; Fléchon, A. ; Grimm, M. O. ; Bedke, J. ; Barthélémy, P. ; Castellano, D. ; Mellado, B. ; Ivanyi, P. ; Rottey, S. ; Flörcken, A. ; Suárez, C. ; Maroto, J. P. ; Grünwald, V. ; Oosting, S. ; Kopecky, J. ; Zschäbitz, S.DKFZ* ; Boegemann, M. ; Buchler, T. ; Niegisch, G. ; Goebell, P. J. ; Waddell, T. ; Joly, F. ; Priou, F. ; Retz, M. ; Siemer, S. ; Zimmermann, U. ; Deckbar, D. ; Burkholder, I. ; Hartmann, A. ; Bergmann, L. ; DKG, I. R. C. C. W. G. o. t. (Collaboration Author)

2026
Elsevier Amsterdam [u.a.]

Abstract: Papillary renal cell cancer (pRCC) represents the largest subgroup within non-clear cell (ncc) RCC. Compared with clear cell RCC (ccRCC), pRCC is considered less sensitive to currently available systemic therapies. Here, we report exploratory results from the pRCC subgroup of the SUNNIFORECAST trial comparing ipilimumab/nivolumab with standard of care (SOC) based on central pathological review.SUNNIFORECAST was a prospective, investigator-initiated, phase II trial evaluating ipilimumab/nivolumab versus SOC in patients with untreated, advanced nccRCC. The primary endpoint was the 12-month overall survival (OS) rate. Secondary endpoints included OS, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall response rate (ORR). PD-L1 expression was assessed exploratory.Of 309 randomized patients, 127 had confirmed papillary histology, in 56/173 cases the local diagnosis of pRCC required revision. Among the 127 patients with pRCC, 64 received ipilimumab/nivolumab and 63 SOC, predominantly TKI monotherapy. In the pRCC subgroup, the 12-month OS rate was 74.77% in the ipilimumab/nivolumab arm and 63.44% in the SOC arm (p = 0.085). Median OS was 24.89 months with ipilimumab/nivolumab versus 18.88 months with SOC. PD-L1 expression was evaluable in 116 of 127 patients. A CPS > 1 was more frequently observed with increasing IMDC risk category. Among patients with CPS < 1, the 12-month OS rate was 75.00% with ipilimumab/nivolumab and 68.36% with SOC (p = 0.963). In patients with CPS > 1, the 12-month OS rate was 82.38% in the ipilimumab/nivolumab arm and 63.33% in the SOC arm.This exploratory analysis has several limitations; however, it suggests that patients with pRCC treated with ipilimumab/nivolumab may derive a benefit in terms of 12-month OS rate, median OS, and ORR compared with SOC, particularly among those with CPS > 1. (Funded by Bristol Myers Squibb grant CA209-499; ClinicalTrials.gov, EUDRACT Number: 2016-000706-12; NCT03075423.).

Keyword(s): Central pathological review ; Immune checkpoint inhibitors ; Ipilimumab ; NccRCC ; Nivolumab ; Non–clear cell renal cell carcinoma ; PD-L1 status ; Papillary RCC ; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Note: #NCTZFB9#

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. Koordinierungsstelle NCT Heidelberg (HD02)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

---

Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

---