Final Day of ASCO GU Highlights Kidney Cancer Advances

The third and final day of the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary (ASCO GU) Cancers Symposium highlighted important developments in kidney cancer treatment, including combination therapies that may improve outcomes for patients with both early-stage and advanced disease.

One of the key findings came from the LITESPARK‑022 trial, which evaluated the combination of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Welireg (belzutifan) as postoperative therapy in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The study showed that adding Welireg to Keytruda significantly improved disease-free survival, reducing the risk of recurrence or death by approximately 28% compared with Keytruda alone.

The proportion of patients who remained disease-free at two years was higher in the combination group, marking a meaningful step forward in adjuvant therapy for patients at risk of recurrence. This trial represents the first time Welireg has demonstrated a clear benefit in this setting.

Read more about the phase 3 study here!

Another important update involved the combination of Welireg and Lenvima (lenvatinib) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma whose disease had progressed following prior immunotherapy. Results from the LITESPARK‑011 trial showed that the combination improved progression-free survival, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by approximately 30% compared with cabozantinib, a standard targeted therapy.

The combination also showed a trend toward improved overall survival, though longer follow-up is needed to confirm this benefit. These findings support ongoing research and potential regulatory considerations for broader use of these combinations in advanced disease.

Read more from the phase 3 study here!

Overall, the final day of ASCO GU reinforced progress in kidney cancer treatment through novel combination strategies that pair immunotherapy with targeted therapies. These developments highlight the potential for more effective and personalized treatment options, offering hope for improved outcomes for patients across stages of renal cell carcinoma.

For patients and caregivers looking for in-depth coverage and updates from ASCO GU, CURE continues to provide patient-focused reporting on the latest research.

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