Efficacy of cryoablation combined with sorafenib for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of cryoablation combined with sorafenib for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Material and methods: We conducted an observational study in 156 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma unsuitable for surgical treatment. Participants received cryoablation?+?sorafenib (n?=?67) or sorafenib only (n?=?89). Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival time (PFS), overall survival (OS), change in immune function after treatment, rate of adverse events, and quality of life were compared between the two groups.

Results: In the cryoablation?+?sorafenib group, ORR and DCR were significantly higher and PFS and OS were significantly longer than in the sorafenib only group (both p?<?.05). Immune function-related indicators were significantly improved after treatment in the cryoablation?+?sorafenib group (p?<?.05), but no significant difference was found between before and after treatment in the sorafenib only group (p?>?.05). The incidence of targeted drug-related side effects was not significantly different between the groups (p?>?.05), and cryoablation did not increase the risk of side effects of targeted drugs.

Conclusion: Cryoablation combined with sorafenib had superior clinical efficacy compared with sorafenib-only for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma unsuitable for surgical treatment. Moreover, this combined therapy may enhance the body’s anti-tumor immunity and effectively prolong PFS and OS without compromising patient quality of life, thus representing a new treatment strategy for advanced renal cell carcinoma.