A red blood cell-based score in the prognostication of patients with metastatic RCC of the Meet-URO 15 study

<b>Aims:</b> Anemia, mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width may have some effects on survival outcomes of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients and are incorporated in a red blood cell (RBC)-based score. Its validity in prognostication of mRCC patients treated with second-line nivolumab was assessed. <b>Patients and methods:</b> Retrospective analysis using Meet-URO-15 cohort of mRCC patients receiving nivolumab in the second-line setting or beyond. Outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). <b>Results:</b> A total of 390 patients were included. Significant differences in OS and PFS between RBC-based score groups, with group 1 (2 or 3 of the RBC-related prognostic factors) having longer OS (median 29.5 months, 95% CI: 23.1–35.9, versus 11.5 months, 95% CI: 8.5–22.6; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and PFS (7.5 months, 95% CI: 5.5–10.2, versus 4.2 months, 95% CI: 3.3–5.9; <i>p</i> = 0.040) than those in group 0 (0 or 1 RBC-related prognostic factors). Belonging to group 1 independently predicted OS (hazard ratio: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.50–0.85; <i>p</i> = 0.002) but not PFS (hazard ratio: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.70–1.14, <i>p</i> = 0.370) or disease response (OR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.41–1.10; <i>p</i> = 0.118) at multivariable analysis. <b>Conclusion:</b> RBC-based group scores independently predicted OS in mRCC patients treated with nivolumab. This study looked at how certain blood cell measurements (anemia, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width) affect survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who are treated with nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug. Researchers analyzed data from 390 patients who received nivolumab as a second-line treatment or beyond. They divided patients into groups based on their blood cell scores. They found that patients with higher scores had better overall survival and progression-free survival compared with those with lower scores. Specifically, patients with better scores lived longer. The study concluded that these scores can help predict survival in these patients treated with nivolumab. Prognostic value of blood cell measurements: Anemia, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width were found to significantly affect survival outcomes in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with nivolumab. Red blood cell (RBC)-based score predicts survival: The study demonstrated that patients with favorable RBC-based scores had significantly longer overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival compared with those with lower scores. Independent predictor of OS: The RBC-based score independently predicted OS in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients, highlighting its potential use in improving patient management.