First experience of using Pembroria® medication in patients with disseminated renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background. According to the clinical guidelines from the leading Russian and international societies, treatment of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma is based on combination use of immune and targeted drugs. In December of 2022, the first Russian analogue of immune-oncological drug pembrolizumab with trade name Pembroria® was registered in Russia.Aim. To evaluate safety of the biosimilar, as well as register its effectiveness in the form of objective response estimation in accordance with the RECIST v.1.1 (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1) criteria. The article presents the results of the first experience of using Pembroria® in real clinical practice. Two clinical observations are presented demonstrating effectiveness and safety of the biosimilar.Materials and methods. At the clinic of the N. Lopatkin Scientific Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology – branch of the National Medical Research Radiology Center, 21 patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma who did not previously receive systemic antitumor treatment underwent immunotarget therapy with Pembroria® and a targeted agent: lenvatinib (20 mg/day orally) or axitinib (10 mg/day orally).Results. The analysis of effectiveness considering short follow-up periods was performed in 18 patients. Median follow-up period was 6 (2–13) months and objective response rate was 50 %, in 28 % of cases stable disease was observed. Survival rates were not evaluated due to short observation time.Conclusion. Use of Pembroria® medication in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in real clinical practice showed high objective response rate with acceptable toxicity level. No new, previously not described adverse events were registered during Pembroria® administration.