KOL Pulse — Trial Profile

LITESPARK-022 Trial

Adjuvant treatment of clear cell RCC post-nephrectomy at high risk of recurrence — Merck Sharp & Dohme

Adjuvant treatment of clear cell RCC post-nephrectomy at high risk of recurrenceWelireg + KeytrudaASCO GU 2026 (#GU26)
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Top KOLs Discussing LITESPARK-022

Dr Amol Akhade
Dr Amol Akhade
@SuyogCancer
7K impressions
Tom Powles
Tom Powles
@tompowles1
6K impressions
Martín Angel
Martín Angel
@Martin_AngelMD
5.7K impressions
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO
@neerajaiims
4.1K impressions
OncLive.com
OncLive.com
@OncLive
4K impressions
Carlos Alvarez
Carlos Alvarez
@duemed
2.9K impressions

LITESPARK-022 Key Slides & Visuals

Official trial slides and relevant visuals shared by KOLs at ASCO GU 2026 (#GU26). Click any image to expand.

Dr Amol Akhade
Dr Amol Akhade @SuyogCancer
LITESPARK-022 Data
7K impressions · 28 likes · Feb 28, 2026
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[Slide 1] Study Design: LITESPARK-022 (NCT05239728) Median follow-up (data cutoff, Aug 23, 2025): 20 ASCO Genitourinary Key Eligibility Criteria 26 Cancers Symposium 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1) Histologically confirmed ccRCC with no prior systemic therapy Surgery <12 weeks prior to randomization Pembrolizumab 400 mg Q6W ECOG PS 0 or 1 N=921 for ~1 year (≤9 cycles) One of the following: + belzutifan 120 mg QD Intermediate-high risk of recurrence (MO): for ≤54 weeks - pT2, grade 4 or sarcomatoid, NO R - pT3, any grade, NO 1:1 High risk of recurrence (MO): Pembrolizumab 400 mg Q6W - pT4, any grade, NO for ~1 year (≤9 cycles) - Any pT, any grade, N+ N=920 + placebo QD M1 NED for <54 weeks Stratification Factors Primary endpoint: DFS by investigator Intermediate-high vs high vs M1 NED Key secondary endpoint: OS Tumor grade 1-2 vs 3-4 Other secondary endpoints include: safety NED, no evidence of disease; QD, daily, Q6W; every six weeks ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium --- [Slide 2] DFS by Investigator, ITT Population 100 91.9% 20 ASCO' Genitourinary 90 HR 0.72 (95% CI, 0.59-0.87) 26 80.7% Cancers Symposium 80 75.8% P = 0.0003* 85.2% 70 73.7% 68.6%; 60 DFS, % 50 Pembrolizumab + Pembrolizumab : 40 belzutifan placebo (N 921) (N 920) 30 Events, (%) 186 (20.2) 246 (26.7) 20 Median, mo 10 12 months 24 months 30 months (95% CI) NR (36.9-NR) NR (NR-NR) 0 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 No. at Risk Months Pembrolizumab 921 850 805 669 451 153 35 0 belzutifan Pembrolizumab 920 823 759 619 417 140 38 0 placebo "Denotes statistical significance by stratified log-rank test (p-value boundary, 0.01632). J L NR, not reached ITT population comprised all randomized participants. HRs and 95% CI estimated via stratified Cox proportional hazard model. Median follow-up: 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1). Data cutoff: August 23, 2025. " ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium --- [Slide 3] Interim os Results, ITT Population 100 98.3% 96.2% 95.6% 20 98.6% ASCO Genitourinary 90 95.7% 93.8% 26 Cancers Symposium 80 HR 0.78 (95% CI, 0.51-1.19) 70 P 0.1220* 60 Pembrolizumab Pembrolizumab + % 05, 50 belzutifan placebo 40 N 921) (N 920) Events, (%) 38 (4.1) 49 (5.3) 30 Median, mo (95% CI) NR (NR-NR) NR (NR-NR) 20 12 months 87 deaths at IA1: 29% of expected events at final analysis 10 24 months 30 months 0 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 No. at Risk Months Pembrolizumab 921 914 900 805 631 319 70 0 + belzutifan Pembrolizumab 920 914 907 807 638 319 69 0 + placebo "Did not reach statistical significance by stratified log-rank test (p-value boundary, 0.00003) Final analysis for OS to occur after approximately 300 os events. HRs and 95% CI estimated via stratified Cox proportional hazard model Median follow-up: 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1). Data cutoff: August 23, 2025. ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium --- [Slide 4] Summary of Safety Results, As-Treated Population Pembrolizumab + belzutifana.b Pembrolizumab + placeboa.b 20 ASCO Genitourinary Participants, n (%) (N 915) (N 913) 26 Cancers Symposium Median duration on study therapy, mo (range) 12.4 (0.03-20.1) 12.4 (0.3-18.9) Treatment-emergent AEs 905 (98.9) 863 (94.5) Grade >3 477 (52.1) 276 (30.2) Led to discontinuation of all study treatment 109 (11.9) 82 (9.0) Led to death 10 (1.1) 11 (1.2) Serious 270 (29.5) 182 (19.9) Serious and led to discontinuation of all study 59 (6.4) 43 (4.7) treatment Treatment-related AEs 884 (96.6) 737 (80.7) Grade >3 386 (42.2) 163 (17.9) Led to discontinuation of all study treatment 93 (10.2) 67 (7.3) Led to death 3 (0.3) 3 (0.3) Immune-mediated AEs or infusion reactions 324 (35.4) 353 (38.7) Grade >3 86 (9.4) 76 (8.3) "Median number of pembrolizumab cycles was 9 (range 1-9) for both arms. Median dose intensity (range) was 107.3 mg/day (8.3-120.) 0) for belzutifan (89 4% of planned starting dose) and 119 5 mg/day (54 1- 141.2) for placebo (99. 6% of planned starting dose). "Serious adverse events were defined as any adverse event that resulted in death, was life-threatening required inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, resulted in persistent or significant disability or incapacity, was a congenital anomaly or birth defect, or was judged by the investigator to be a serious adverse event Safety was assessed in all participants who received at dose of study treatment. Data cutoff: August 23, 2025 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium
Tom Powles
Tom Powles @tompowles1
LITESPARK-022 Data
6K impressions · 69 likes · Feb 28, 2026
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[Slide 1] Study Design: LITESPARK-022 (NCT05239728) Median follow-up (data cutoff, Aug 23, 2025): Key Eligibility Criteria 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1) Histologically confirmed ccRCC with no prior systemic therapy Surgery ≤12 weeks prior to randomization Pembrolizumab 400 mg Q6W ECOG PS 0 or 1 N = 921 for ~1 year (≤9 cycles) One of the following: + belzutifan 120 mg QD Intermediate-high risk of recurrence (MO): for ≤54 weeks - pT2, grade 4 or sarcomatoid, NO R - pT3, any grade, NO 1:1 High risk of recurrence (MO): Pembrolizumab 400 mg Q6W — pT4, any grade, NO for ~1 year (≤9 cycles) - Any pT, any grade, N+ N = 920 + placebo QD M1 NED for ≤54 weeks Stratification Factors Primary endpoint: DFS by investigator Intermediate-high VS high VS M1 NED Key secondary endpoint: OS Tumor grade 1-2 VS 3-4 Other secondary endpoints include: safety NED, no evidence of disease; QD, daily; Q6W; every six weeks. --- [Slide 2] DFS by Investigator, ITT Population 100 91.9% 90 HR 0.72 (95% CI, 0.59-0.87) 80.7% 80 85.2% 75.8% P = 0.0003* 70 73.7% 68.6% 60 DFS, % 50 Pembrolizumab + Pembrolizumab + 40 belzutifan placebo (N 921) (N 920) 30 Events, n (%) 186 (20.2) 246 (26.7) 20 Median, mo 10 12 months 24 months 30 months (95% CI) NR (36.9-NR) NR (NR-NR) 0 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 No. at Risk Months Pembrolizumab 921 850 805 669 451 153 35 0 + belzutifan Pembrolizumab 920 823 759 619 417 140 38 0 + placebo *Denotes statistical significance by stratified log-rank test (p-value boundary, 0.01632). NR, not reached. ITT population comprised all randomized participants. HRs and 95% CI estimated via stratified Cox proportional hazard model. Median follow-up: 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1). Data cutoff: August 23, 2025. --- [Slide 3] Interim OS Results, ITT Population 100 98.3% 96.2% 95.6% 98.6% 90 95.7% 93.8% 80 HR 0.78 (95% CI, 0.51-1.19) 70 P = 0.1220* 60 OS, % Pembrolizumab + Pembrolizumab + 50 belzutifan placebo 40 (N 921) (N 920) Events, n (%) 38 (4.1) 49 (5.3) 30 Median, mo (95% CI) NR (NR-NR) NR (NR-NR) 20 87 deaths at IA1: 29% of expected events at final analysis 10 12 months 24 months 30 months 0 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 No. at Risk Months Pembrolizumab 921 914 900 805 631 319 70 0 + belzutifan Pembrolizumab 920 914 907 807 638 319 69 0 + placebo "Did not reach statistical significance by stratified log-rank test (p-value boundary, 0.00003). Final analysis for OS to occur after approximately 300 OS events. HRs and 95% CI estimated via stratified Cox proportional hazard model. Median follow-up: 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1). Data cutoff: August 23, 2025. --- [Slide 4] Treatment-Emergent AEs with Incidence ≥10%, As-Treated Population Pembrolizumab + belzutifan Pembrolizumab + placebo Anemia 84.0% 11.4% Fatigue 36.4% 26.3% Alanine aminotransferase increased 28.9% 14.1% Aspartate aminotransferase increased 22.0% 11.9% Diarrhea 20.9% 16.2% Pruritus 20.3% 23.5% Dizziness 19.3% 8.2% Headache 16.9% 10.8% Nausea 16.3% 12.2% Arthralgia 15.1% 16.9% Hypothyroidism 14.9% 18.8% Asthenia 12.9% 7.4% Rash 12.3% 15.4% Blood creatinine increased 12.0% 12.3% Dyspnea 10.7% 4.4% Hyperthyroidism 7.7% 11.4% Cough 7.5% 10.2% 100 80 60 40 20 0 20 40 60 80 100 Incidence, % Any grade AEs Grade ≥3 AEs Any grade AEs Grade ≥3 AEs Data cutoff: August 23, 2025.
Martín Angel
Martín Angel @Martin_AngelMD
LITESPARK-022 Data
5.7K impressions · 19 likes · Feb 28, 2026
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[Slide 1] ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Plus Belzutifan Versus Pembrolizumab for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: The Randomized Phase 3 LITESPARK-022 Study Toni K. Choueiri1, Robert J. Motzer², Jose A. Karam³, Dingwei Ye4, Zhisong He⁵, Christian Caglevic⁶, Wesley Yip7, Cristina Suárez⁸, Tom Ferguson⁹, Yen-Hwa Chang¹⁰, Carlos Rojas¹¹, Roberto lacovelli12, Yuksel Ürün¹³, Elena Verzoni1⁴, Juan Carlos Vázquez Limón¹⁵, Camillo Porta¹⁶, Robert G. Uzzo¹⁷, Jae Lyun Lee¹⁸, Balaji Venugopal19,20, Rana R. McKay21, Hans Hammers²², Hideaki Miyake23, Jad Chahoud²⁴, Hong Liu25, Joseph E. Burgents²⁵, Manish Sharma25, Thomas B. Powles26 'Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China; Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Cancer- Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago, Chile; City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA; Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia; 10Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan; 1Bradford Hill Investigación Clinica and Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Türkiye: "Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori-Struttura Complessa Oncologia Medica 1, Milan, Italy; 15Servicio de Oncologia Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari and University of Bari "A. Moro," Bari, Italy; 17Fox Chase Comprehensive Cancer Center, Philadelphia, USA; Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; "Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom; University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; 21University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; 22University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; 23Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan; "Orlando Health Cancer Institute, Orlando, FL, USA; 25Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA; 26Barts Cancer Institute NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, and Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom ASCO Genitourinary Toni K. Choueiri #GU26 ASCO AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PRESENTED BY: CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Cancers Symposium Presentation property of be author and ASCO Permission required for reuse, contact permissions@asco.org KNOWLEDGE CONQUERS CANCER Γ ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium --- [Slide 2] Study Design: LITESPARK-022 (NCT05239728) Median follow-up (data cutoff, Aug 23, 2025): 20 ASCO Genitourinary Key Eligibility Criteria 26 Cancers Symposium 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1) Histologically confirmed ccRCC with no prior systemic therapy Surgery <12 weeks prior to randomization Pembrolizumab 400 mg Q6W ECOG PS 0 or 1 N = 921 for ~1 year (≤9 cycles) One of the following: + belzutifan 120 mg QD Intermediate-high risk of recurrence (MO): for ≤54 weeks - pT2, grade 4 or sarcomatoid, NO R - pT3, any grade, NO 1:1 High risk of recurrence (MO): Pembrolizumab 400 mg Q6W - pT4, any grade, NO for ~1 year (≤9 cycles) - Any pT, any grade, N+ N=920 + placebo QD M1 NED for ≤54 weeks Stratification Factors Primary endpoint: DFS by investigator Intermediate-high vs high vs M1 NED Key secondary endpoint: OS Tumor grade 1-2 VS 3-4 Other secondary endpoints include: safety NED, no evidence of disease; QD, daily; Q6W; every six weeks. ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium --- [Slide 3] DFS by Investigator, ITT Population 100 91.9% 20 ASCO*Genitourinary 90 HR 0.72 (95% CI, 0.59-0.87) 80.7% 26 Cancers Symposium 80 85.2% 75.8% P = 0.0003* 70 73.7% 68.6%; 60 DFS, % 50 Pembrolizumab + Pembrolizumab + 40 belzutifan placebo (N 921) (N 920) 30 Events, (%) 186 (20.2) 246 (26.7) 20 Median, mo 10 12 months 24 months 30 months (95% CI) NR (36.9-NR) NR (NR-NR) 0 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 No. at Risk Months Pembrolizumab 921 850 805 669 451 153 35 0 + belzutifan Pembrolizumab 920 823 759 619 417 140 38 0 + placebo "Denotes statistical significance by stratified log-rank test (p-value boundary, 0.01632). NR, not reached ITT population comprised all randomized participants. HRs and 95% CI estimated via stratified Cox proportional hazard model. Median follow-up: 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1). Data cutoff: August 23, 2025. ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium --- [Slide 4] Interim OS Results, ITT Population 100 98.3% 96.2% 95.6% 20 98.6% ASCO Genitourinary 90 95.7% 93.8% 26 Cancers Symposium 80 HR 0.78 (95% CI, 0.51-1.19) 70 P = 0.1220* 60 % 05, Pembrolizumab Pembrolizumab 50 belzutifan placebo 40 (N 921) (N 920) Events, n (%) 38 (4.1) 49 (5.3) 30 Median, mo (95% CI) NR (NR-NR) NR (NR-NR) 20 12 months 24 months 30 months 87 deaths at IA1: 29% of expected events at final analysis 10 0 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 No. at Risk Months Pembrolizumab 921 914 900 805 631 319 70 0 + belzutifan Pembrolizumab 920 914 907 807 638 319 69 0 + placebo "Did not reach statistical significance by stratified log-rank test (p-value boundary. 0.00003). Final analysis for OS to occur after approximately 300 OS events. HRs and 95% CI estimated via stratified Cox proportional hazard model. Median follow-up: 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1) Data cutoff: August 23, 2025. ASCO Genitour
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO
LITESPARK-022 Data
4.1K impressions · 69 likes · Feb 28, 2026
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[Slide 1] ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Plus Belzutifan Versus Pembrolizumab for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: The Randomized Phase 3 LITESPARK-022 Study Toni K. Choueiri1, Robert J. Motzer², Jose A. Karam³, Dingwei Ye4, Zhisong He⁵, Christian Caglevic⁶, Wesley Yip7, Cristina Suárez⁸, Tom Ferguson⁹, Yen-Hwa Chang¹⁰, Carlos Rojas¹¹, Roberto lacovelli12, Yuksel Ürün¹³, Elena Verzoni1⁴, Juan Carlos Vázquez Limón15, Camillo Porta¹⁶, Robert G. Uzzo17, Jae Lyun Lee¹⁸, Balaji Venugopal19.20, Rana R. McKay21, Hans Hammers²², Hideaki Miyake²³, Jad Chahoud²⁴, Hong Liu²⁵, Joseph E. Burgents²⁵, Manish Sharma²⁵, Thomas B. Powles26 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Fundación Arturo López Pérez, Santiago, Chile; City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA; "Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall Center, Houston, TX, USA; Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China: Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Centro de Investigación . Innovación en Cáncer- Clínica d'Hebron and Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile; Fondazione Policiinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli RCCS, Rome, Italy, 13Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Türkiye: Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia; Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan; Bradford Hill Investigación Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari and University of Ban A Moro, Bari, Italy, "Fax Chase Comprehensive United "Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori-Struttura Complessa Oncologia Medica 1, Milan, Italy: Servicio de Oncología Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, Fray Antonio Alcaide", University University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan; Orlando Health Cancer Institute, Orlando, FL, USA; 25Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA; "Barts Cancer Cancer Center, of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, Institute USA; NIHR 21Kobe Philadelphia, USA; Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, Kingdom; Biomedical Research Centre, and Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom PRESENTED ST. Toni K. Chouein ASCO AMERICAN CHECKOOF ASCO Genitourinary #GU26 ENDWLEDGE CONQUERS CANCER Cancers Symposium Presentation esperty the author and ASCO Permission required by MM contact permissions@wice.org 20 ASCO*Genitourinary --- [Slide 2] Study Design: LITESPARK-022 (NCT05239728) Median follow-up (data cutoff, Aug 23, 2025): Key Eligibility Criteria 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1) Histologically confirmed ccRCC with no prior systemic therapy Surgery <12 weeks prior to randomization Pembrolizumab 400 mg Q6W ECOG PS 0 or 1 N = 921 for ~1 year (59 cycles) One of the following: + belzutifan 120 mg QD Intermediate-high risk of recurrence (MO): for ≤54 weeks - pT2, grade 4 or sarcomatoid, NO R - pT3, any grade, NO 1:1 High risk of recurrence (MO): Pembrolizumab 400 mg Q6W - pT4, any grade, NO for ~1 year (≤9 cycles) - Any pT, any grade, N+ N = 920 + placebo QD M1 NED for ≤54 weeks Stratification Factors Primary endpoint: DFS by investigator Intermediate-high VS high VS M1 NED Key secondary endpoint: OS Tumor grade 1-2 VS 3-4 Other secondary endpoints include: safety NED, no evidence of disease; QD, daily; Q6W; every six weeks. --- [Slide 3] DFS by Investigator, ITT Population 100 91.9% 90 80.7% HR 0.72 (95% CI, 0.59-0.87) 80 85.2% 75.8% P = 0.0003* 70 73.7% 68.6%; 60 DFS, % 50 Pembrolizumab + Pembrolizumab + 40 belzutifan placebo (N 921) (N 920) 30 Events, n (%) 186 (20.2) 246 (26.7) 20 Median, mo 10 12 months 24 months 30 months (95% CI) NR (36.9-NR) NR (NR-NR) 0 0 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 No. at Risk Months Pembrolizumab 921 850 805 669 451 153 35 0 + belzutifan Pembrolizumab 920 823 759 619 417 140 38 0 + placebo "Denotes statistical significance by stratified log-rank test (p-value boundary, 0.01632). NR, not reached. ITT population comprised all randomized participants. HRs and 95% CI estimated via stratified Cox proportional hazard model. Median follow-up: 28.4 months (range, 15.0-40.1). Data cutoff: August 23, 2025. --- [Slide 4] Summary and Conclusions Pembrolizumab + belzutifan showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful DFS improvement VS pembrolizumab monotherapy in participants with ccRCC at increased risk of recurrence post nephrectomy - DFS benefit was generally consistent across prespecified subgroups Additional follow-up is planned for the key secondary endpoint of OS The safety profile of pembrolizumab + belzutifan was manageable with a low rate of AEs leading to the discontinuation of both study drugs - Overall safety was consistent with the expected profiles of each individual drug LITESPARK-022 is the first adjuvant phase 3 trial in RCC to show a significant benefit for a combination treatment VS an active immunotherapy comparator These results support the addition of belzutifan to standard-of-care adjuvant pembrolizumab for patients with ccRCC at increased risk of recurrence
Toni Choueiri, MD
Toni Choueiri, MD @DrChoueiri
LITESPARK-022 Data
2.5K impressions · 30 likes · Mar 19, 2026
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[Slide 1] The ASCO® Post EVENING NEWS Monday, March 16, 2026 TODAY IN ONCOLOGY Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Plus Belzutifan for Patients With RCC at Increased Risk of Recurrence Based on results from the phase III KEYNOTE-564 study, adjuvant pembrolizumab is currently a standard of care for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have an increased risk of recurrence following a nephrectomy. Now, results from the phase III LITESPARK-022 study investigating the combination of adjuvant pembrolizumab plus the oral HIF-2a inhibitor belzutifan in high-risk patients show that the regimen demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in disease-free survival vs pembrolizumab plus placebo.

LITESPARK-022 Top Tweets

Top tweets by impressions — click to view on X

Dr Amol Akhade
Dr Amol Akhade@SuyogCancer

Adjuvant Pembrolizumab plus Belzutifan in RCC . Litespark022 . Impressive DFS curves. It will become new SOC if it gets OS . Looking forward to OS data in future @DrChoueiri @tompowles1 @OncBrothers

👁 7K ♡ 28 ↻ 9 Feb 28, 2026
Tom Powles
Tom Powles@tompowles1

R3 LITESPARK-022: Adjuvant Pembrolizumab + Belzutifan vs Pembrolizumab for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma #GU26 showed significantly delayed DFS HR 0.72 (95% CI, 0.59–0.87) active across all…

👁 6K ♡ 69 ↻ 36 Feb 28, 2026
Martín Angel
Martín Angel@Martin_AngelMD

🆕adjuvant combo for #RCC : LITESPARK-022 #GU26
DFS: HR: 0.72‼️
OS: inmature data..... but comparator arm was THE most effective active treatment available.
@DrChoueiri @tompowles1 @BourlonMaite

👁 5.7K ♡ 19 ↻ 9 Feb 28, 2026
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO@neerajaiims

Breaking news from @ASCO #GU26 👉Adding belzutifan to adjuvant pembrolizumab significantly improves disease free survival (HR: 0.72)👉Congrats @drchoueiri &amp; team for changing SOC again in pts with…

👁 4.1K ♡ 69 ↻ 27 Feb 28, 2026
Toni Choueiri, MD
Toni Choueiri, MD@DrChoueiri

Thank you @ASCOPost for this interview about #Litespark022, the first + study of combo in adjuvant Kidney Cancer ! @montypal, @DrRanaMcKay @DrRosenbergMSK we need to update @AUC3_Official ! Data…

👁 2.5K ♡ 30 ↻ 13 Mar 19, 2026
ASCO
ASCO@ASCO

#ASCODailyNews: According to phase 3 LITESPARK-022 results, adding belzutifan to pembrolizumab improves DFS in pts with high-risk ccRCC. Read the full #GU26 article: https://t.co/TWsQtiH0xz…

👁 2K ♡ 11 ↻ 7 Feb 28, 2026
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Dirican
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Dirican@dr_dirican

A new standard may be emerging in the adjuvant treatment of high-risk clear cell RCC.

#GU2026 | LITESPARK-022 (Phase 3)

Adjuvant Pembrolizumab + Belzutifan vs Pembrolizumab
🎯…

👁 1.9K ♡ 17 ↻ 6 Mar 2, 2026
Karine Tawagi MD
Karine Tawagi MD@DrKarineTawagi

Big morning for Belzutifan🎉#ASCOGU26

#LITESPARK011 combo w/ Lenva vs Cabo in 2L+ s/p IO in mRCC (55% prior TKI)
➕ PFS, ORR, immature OS, 20 pts w/ CR
⚠️15% hypoxia, 2/3 DR TKI, 1/3 DR…

👁 1.9K ♡ 36 ↻ 14 Feb 28, 2026
Carlos Alvarez
Carlos Alvarez@duemed

LITESPARK-022: adjuvant pembrolizumab plus belzutifan vs pembrolizumab for ccRCC #GU26
@DrChoueiri @motzermd @crisuarez08 @DrIacovelli @tompowles1 @DrYukselUrun https://t.co/cFt63B72N7

👁 1.5K ♡ 21 ↻ 8 Feb 28, 2026
Uromigos
Uromigos@Uromigos

Adjuvant kidney cancer is evolving.
@DrChoueiri joins the Uromigos to discuss the LITESPARK-022 phase 3 trial of belzutifan + pembrolizumab, mechanistic insights, biomarker development, and what may…

👁 1.5K ♡ 12 ↻ 11 Mar 6, 2026

About the LITESPARK-022 Trial

Builds on KEYNOTE-564 (adjuvant pembrolizumab monotherapy) by adding HIF-2α inhibition. 28% relative DFS risk reduction in adjuvant ccRCC. Regulatory filing underway. Adds another layer of complexity to the adjuvant RCC treatment landscape alongside monotherapy pembrolizumab and potential future IO-TKI combinations.

Trial Methodology & Results

Disease-Free Survival (DFS) — Primary Endpoint

DFS HR 0.72 (95% CI 0.59-0.87, P=0.0003) — 28% relative risk reduction favoring belzutifan + pembrolizumab over pembrolizumab + placebo. 24-month DFS rate: 80.7% (combination) vs. 73.7% (monotherapy). Median DFS not reached in either arm.

✓ DFS HR 0.72; 24-mo DFS 80.7% vs. 73.7%

📄 Source: KOL commentary on X →

Overall Survival (OS)

Overall survival data remain immature (87 events, 29% of target); ongoing follow-up continues. OS readout expected in subsequent analyses.


📄 Source →

Safety & Tolerability

Higher Grade ≥3 adverse events with the combination — dominated by anemia and hypoxia, consistent with HIF-2α inhibition mechanism of belzutifan. No new safety signals beyond established belzutifan and pembrolizumab profiles.

Anemia/hypoxia as class effect of HIF-2α inhibition

📄 Source →

Clinical Implications

Priority review filed — next-generation adjuvant ccRCC option. Builds on KEYNOTE-564 (adjuvant pembrolizumab monotherapy) by adding HIF-2α inhibition. 28% relative DFS risk reduction in adjuvant ccRCC. Regulatory filing underway. Adds another layer of complexity to the adjuvant RCC treatment landscape alongside monotherapy pembrolizumab and potential future IO-TKI combinations.

LITESPARK-022 in the News

Key KOL Sentiments — LITESPARK-022

DoctorSentimentComment
Renee Maria Saliby ● POSITIVE A little history recap: 2021: KN564 is positive 2024: KN564 shows the first OS improvement in adjuvant therapy in ANY type of cancer 2026: let's do better than KN564, pembro/bel &gt; pembro @DrChoueiri
Carlos Alvarez ● POSITIVE Great discussion of LITESPARK-022 trial by @katy_beckermann #GU26 https://t.co/s1jSPthhma
Gil Morgan, MD ● POSITIVE Warm Congratulations to Amazing @DrChoueiri 🇺🇸 and Team for the Great Results of LITESPARK 022 presented at #GU26 ⭐️ Potential new Standard of Care! Dr Choueiri Showing us that no matter the Weather❄️ Science Never Stops!! @OncoAlert 🚨 https://t.co/58cziabkur
Sara Coca Membribes ● POSITIVE #GU26 LITESPARK-022 shows improvement in DFS for pem + belzutifan (HR 0.72) being the first trial with an active comparator in this setting. The curves separate at 3 months and remain apart even after completion of adjuvant tx. Congrats to @DrChoueiri and team @OncoAlert https://t.co/ikKNUnZD4e
Karine Tawagi MD ● POSITIVE Great discussion &amp; Monday morning clinic practical takeaways @katy_beckermann https://t.co/FneXPsc02F
Dr Amol Akhade ● NEUTRAL Adjuvant Pembrolizumab plus Belzutifan in RCC . Litespark022 . Impressive DFS curves. It will become new SOC if it gets OS . Looking forward to OS data in future @DrChoueiri @tompowles1 @OncBrothers @OncoAlert @ASCO #GU26 https://t.co/PcPSwB7k4S
Tom Powles ● NEUTRAL R3 LITESPARK-022: Adjuvant Pembrolizumab + Belzutifan vs Pembrolizumab for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma #GU26 showed significantly delayed DFS HR 0.72 (95% CI, 0.59–0.87) active across all subgroups. Immature OS (30 mnth OS 93% CDs 96%). ⬆️ Anaemia fatigue and transaminitis https://t.co/hZHeozoMrL
Martín Angel ● NEUTRAL 🆕adjuvant combo for #RCC : LITESPARK-022 #GU26 DFS: HR: 0.72‼️ OS: inmature data..... but comparator arm was THE most effective active treatment available. @DrChoueiri @tompowles1 @BourlonMaite @ASCO https://t.co/eRwUjiri7D
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO ● NEUTRAL Breaking news from @ASCO #GU26 👉Adding belzutifan to adjuvant pembrolizumab significantly improves disease free survival (HR: 0.72)👉Congrats @drchoueiri &amp; team for changing SOC again in pts with #kidneycancer @kidneycan @OncoAlert @urotoday https://t.co/7MfCXdcGqY
Toni Choueiri, MD ● NEUTRAL Thank you @ASCOPost for this interview about #Litespark022, the first + study of combo in adjuvant Kidney Cancer ! @montypal, @DrRanaMcKay @DrRosenbergMSK we need to update @AUC3_Official ! Data presented #GU26 @ASCO @OncoAlert https://t.co/oRQRh7tZ8e https://t.co/Po35jS7rkE
ASCO ● NEUTRAL #ASCODailyNews: According to phase 3 LITESPARK-022 results, adding belzutifan to pembrolizumab improves DFS in pts with high-risk ccRCC. Read the full #GU26 article: https://t.co/TWsQtiH0xz https://t.co/ryX3D8vioC https://t.co/qnvEVpsK9I
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Dirican ● NEUTRAL A new standard may be emerging in the adjuvant treatment of high-risk clear cell RCC. #GU2026 | LITESPARK-022 (Phase 3) Adjuvant Pembrolizumab + Belzutifan vs Pembrolizumab 🎯 Population: Post-nephrectomy clear cell RCC at increased risk of recurrence (M0 https://t.co/m0WAgvXRJL
Karine Tawagi MD ● NEUTRAL Big morning for Belzutifan🎉#ASCOGU26 #LITESPARK011 combo w/ Lenva vs Cabo in 2L+ s/p IO in mRCC (55% prior TKI) ➕ PFS, ORR, immature OS, 20 pts w/ CR ⚠️15% hypoxia, 2/3 DR TKI, 1/3 DR Belz #LITESPARK022 adj belzu/pembro vs pembro x1yr ➕DFS, immature OS ⚠️ ~12% pts PRBC/ESA https://t.co/PcEOhfXdtc
Carlos Alvarez ● NEUTRAL LITESPARK-022: adjuvant pembrolizumab plus belzutifan vs pembrolizumab for ccRCC #GU26 @DrChoueiri @motzermd @crisuarez08 @DrIacovelli @tompowles1 @DrYukselUrun https://t.co/cFt63B72N7
Uromigos ● NEUTRAL Adjuvant kidney cancer is evolving. @DrChoueiri joins the Uromigos to discuss the LITESPARK-022 phase 3 trial of belzutifan + pembrolizumab, mechanistic insights, biomarker development, and what may lie ahead for RCC research. Listen now! 🔗 GuOncology Now: https://t.co/BiNze6ugoU
David H Aggen, MD PhD ● NEUTRAL #ASCOGU26 1/2 RCC: LITESPARK-022 — Adjuvant belzutifan+pembro vs pembro alone in post-nephrectomy high-risk ccRCC (N=1,841). - 28% reduction in risk of recurrence/death. -~81% cancer-free vs 74% at median 28.4 mo. First combo to beat pembro monotherapy in the adjuvant kidney https://t.co/K5th0qSWKk
The ASCO Post ● NEUTRAL 🧬 Phase III LITESPARK-022: Adjuvant pembrolizumab + belzutifan improved disease-free survival vs pembrolizumab alone in high-risk clear cell #RCC post-nephrectomy. ➡️ 24-mo DFS: 80.7% vs 73.7% ➡️ HR = 0.72 (P = .0003) 🥼Presented by @DrChoueiri @ #GU26 🔗 https://t.co/FXsAbTL6Wu https://t.co/ujx6rfdGxc
LARVOL ● NEUTRAL Ahead of @ASCO GU 2026, we analyzed how leading AI models ranked the most discussed Genitourinary cancer trials and compared those signals with OncoBuzz (views on oncologists’ posts on 𝕏). AI alignment was strongest for EORTC-1333/PEACE-3, KEYNOTE-B15/EV-304, LITESPARK-022, and https://t.co/5FwqQhoijg
Mirrors of Medicine ● NEUTRAL Phase 3 LITESPARK-022 trial Presented at #GU26 https://t.co/VgY98oyuIv The addition of belzutifan to one year of pembrolizumab after nephrectomy in patients with high-risk clear cell RCC significantly improved disease-free survival compared with pembrolizumab alone, https://t.co/QSFxwLyxup
Renee Maria Saliby ● NEUTRAL 🚨LITESPARK-022: Largest study in adjuvant therapy evaluating IO @DrChoueiri changing the landscape of RCC (at every stage of disease) year after year: this year #GU26 pembro/bel improves DFS compared to bel ⭐️ OS to follow! @DanaFarber @OncoAlert https://t.co/OTD7qQZc3F
Hedyeh Ebrahimi ● NEUTRAL Outstanding presentation by @DrChoueiri on phase 3 LITESPARK-022 at @ASCO #GU26: Adjuvant pembrolizumab + belzutifan vs pembrolizumab alone in high-risk ccRCC after nephrectomy. - DFS improved (HR 0.72, p=0.0003). - OS data not mature. - Safety consistent with known profiles. https://t.co/WqxnPHytO4
Dana-Farber News ● NEUTRAL "LITESPARK-022 is the first adjuvant trial in kidney cancer to show a benefit for a combination versus a PD-1 agent alone." @DanaFarber's @DrChoueiri featured in @FiercePharma discussing kidney cancer research he presented at #ASCOGU. @DanaFarber_GU ➡️ https://t.co/M49VWlDXdx
OncLive.com ● NEUTRAL 🧬 Experts unpack practice-shaping data in RCC, urothelial, &amp; prostate cancer from the 2026 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium — including updates on LITESPARK-022, KEYNOTE-B15, SunRISE-2 &amp; PEACE-3 📊 Featuring insights from: @DrChoueiri of @DanaFarber, @CParkMD of @UofL,
ウロミーゴズ ● NEUTRAL #GU26 LITESPARK-022: ccRCCに対するAdjuvant Pem/Bel vs. Pem 今年の目玉のひとつでした。 https://t.co/r0Khhv7SXe
Società Italiana di Urologia ● NEUTRAL A new potential step forward in the adjuvant treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. At the #EAU26 Game Changer Session, results from the phase 3 LITESPARK-022 trial showed that pembrolizumab combined with belzutifan (HIF-2α inhibitor) significantly improved disease-free https://t.co/avlhdvU6i8
Weiwei Bian ● NEUTRAL Important phase 3 data in high-risk ccRCC post-nephrectomy from @DrChoueiri LITESPARK-022 reports a significant DFS improvement with adjuvant pembro+belzutifan vs pembro. HR 0.72 (95% CI 0.59-0.87), P=0.0003 24-mo DFS: 80.7% vs 73.7% Looking forward to future OS data #GU26 @ASCO https://t.co/9a5X5JopZG
Yüksel Ürün ● NEUTRAL 5 Kidney Cancer Mix: LITESPARK-022 (adj pembro + belzutifan) boosts. LITESPARK-011 (belzu + lenva post-IO) extends PFS. CYTOSHRINK (SBRT + IO no PFS gain) as I noted, important questions asked, even if negative. ctDNA/KIM-1 in oligo-mets RCC predicts survival better. https://t.co/sZ2EXqMSFi
Tarekbaroud ● NEUTRAL History once again from our mentor @DrChoueiri. Another milestone in ccRCC. Adj pembro + bel → significant DFS benefit vs pembro alone (HR 0.72) in LITESPARK-022. @ASCO #ASCOGU #GU26 @DanaFarber @DanaFarber_GU @OncoAlert https://t.co/erHJz8q4Ts
ウロミーゴズ ● NEUTRAL #GU26 LITESPARK-022 再発ハイリスクccRCCに対するPembro+Bel vs. Pembroの術後治療 ✅DFS HR 0.72 →KEYNOTE-564の結果から10%の上乗せ ✅Inter-High &gt;High&gt;M1NEDなのはBelの特性? ✅OSはimmature https://t.co/8d5MFyYXfc
Zach Klaassen ● NEUTRAL ⚡️RCC Oral Abstract: Adj Pembro + Bel vs Pembro for ccRCC: Ph 3 LITESPARK-022 RCT #GU26 @urotoday @DrChoueiri Pembro + Bel vs Pembro 📍🌟DFS: HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59–0.87🌟 📍Interim OS: HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.51–1.19 📍Gr 3+ TEAEs: 52.1% vs 30.2% 📍MC Gr 3+ TEAE: Anemia 12.1% vs 0.4% https://t.co/FYMmQQlH2o