Adjuvant Belzutifan-Pembrolizumab Significantly Boosts DFS in Kidney Cancer

Adjuvant Belzutifan-Pembrolizumab Significantly Boosts DFS in Kidney Cancer

(MedPage Today) -- SAN FRANCISCO -- The adjuvant combination of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and belzutifan (Welireg) significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) after nephrectomy versus...

KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) Plus WELIREG® (belzutifan) Given as Adjuvant Therapy Reduced the Risk of Disease Recurrence or Death by 28% Compared to KEYTRUDA Monotherapy in Certain Patients With Earlier-Stage Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 28, 2026-

New Study Shows Belzutifan and Pembrolizumab Combo Extends Cancer-Free Survival in High-Risk Kidney Cancer Patients After Surgery

In a groundbreaking advancement for kidney cancer treatment, the recent phase 3 LITESPARK-022 clinical trial has demonstrated that combining belzutifan, a novel HIF-2α inhibitor, with the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab significantly improves disease-free survival rates in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) at high risk for recurrence following surgery. These findings, unveiled by Dr. Toni K. Choueiri, director of th…