Cabozantinib is approved for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma on the basis of studies done in clear-cell histology. This current study was conducted because activity of cabozantinib in patients with non-clear-cell renal cell carcinoma is poorly characterised.
According to a commentary, despite the shortcomings of a retrospective cohort study, absence of central pathology and radiology review, and the complex mixture of non-clear-cell tumour histology, this study provides clinicians with credible information that can guide treatment of these notoriously difficult tumours. It notes that because of the rarity of these tumours, large-scale prospective trials that are successful in metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma will be difficult, if not impossible, to do. It commends the determination of a such a large group of oncologists to provide real-world care to their patients while obtaining and analysing these data.