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Adding belzutifan to first-line lenvatinib-pembrolizumab did not deliver, a reminder that later-line success does not guarantee first-line benefit.
LITESPARK-012, trial NCT04736706 sponsored by Merck and reported at ASCO GU 2026, found that adding belzutifan, or the CTLA-4 antibody quavonlimab, to first-line lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in untreated advanced clear-cell renal cell carcinoma did not deliver, a reminder that later-line success does not guarantee first-line benefit. It randomised 1,688 patients across three arms, and neither investigational triplet met the dual primary endpoints of progression-free and overall survival at the pre-specified interim analysis announced on 21 April 2026, with hazard ratios not disclosed. OnCo links it to renal cell carcinoma, belzutifan, lenvatinib and pembrolizumab. Belzutifan's role is therefore later line and adjuvant, and why the phase 1b/2 KEYMAKER-U03 signal did not carry into phase 3 is the open question.
Numbers are from the trial as recorded here; see the source links in the table below. This is orientation, not medical advice: ask your team how closely the trial population matches you.
1,854 enrolled.
Neither investigational regimen met the dual primary PFS and OS endpoints at the pre-specified interim analysis (sponsor release, 21 April 2026); hazard ratios not disclosed
Source| Endpoint | Arm | n | Value | HR (95% CI) | p | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progression-free survival (BICR) and overall survival (dual primary)primary | Pembrolizumab + lenvatinib + belzutifan | - | Neither investigational regimen met the dual primary PFS and OS endpoints at the pre-specified interim analysis (sponsor release, 21 April 2026); hazard ratios not disclosed | - | - | link |
| Pembrolizumab/quavonlimab + lenvatinib | - | - | ||||
| Pembrolizumab + lenvatinib | - | - |
Shares Belzutifan, Merck & Co. (MSD), Renal cell carcinoma, Small-molecule kinase inhibitors.
Shares Belzutifan, Lenvatinib, Merck & Co. (MSD), Renal cell carcinoma.
Shares Belzutifan, Lenvatinib, Merck & Co. (MSD), Renal cell carcinoma.
Shares Belzutifan, Lenvatinib, Merck & Co. (MSD), Pembrolizumab.
Shares Belzutifan, Lenvatinib, Merck & Co. (MSD), Renal cell carcinoma.
Shares Belzutifan, Merck & Co. (MSD), Renal cell carcinoma, Pembrolizumab.
Shares Belzutifan, Merck & Co. (MSD), Renal cell carcinoma, Small-molecule kinase inhibitors.
Shares Belzutifan, Lenvatinib, Merck & Co. (MSD), Small-molecule kinase inhibitors.