Pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib for radically unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the Japanese population

INTRODUCTION: At present, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) or an ICI and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) are the main treatment options as first-line therapy for metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC). Among them, pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib was recently launched in Japanese clinical practice. AREA COVERED: In this review, the efficacies and safety profiles of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib for mRCC between Japanese and global populations are compared. In addition, lenvatinib is currently available for the treatment of not only mRCC but also of endometrial, thyroid, thymic, and hepatocellular cancers. We briefly summarized the characteristics of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib or lenvatinib monotherapy for these malignancies. Finally, the characteristics of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib for mRCC in the Japanese population are briefly elucidated. EXPERT OPINION: In order to develop optimal personalized treatment for mRCC patients, it is necessary for physicians who treat mRCC patients to possess in-depth knowledge of not only the efficacy and safety profile of the respective therapies but also of the interpatient heterogeneities between Japanese and global populations.