Patient's self-reported quality of life as a prognostic factor in metastatic renal cell carcinoma initially treated with TKI: nomogram proposal

Numerous prognostic factors have been described for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). There are nomograms to assist in clinical decision-making and inform patients of their disease progression. However, they have a limited capacity and moderate concordance rates. Performance status (PS) is one of the most widely used prognostic factors and most closely related to overall survival (OS), but this is a subjective assessment based solely on the clinician’s opinion. Patients must be at the center of care. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have shown benefits but are not widespread in daily clinical practice.

We analyzed 78 consecutive patients diagnosed with mRCC who initiated treatment at our institution between September 2012 and September 2019. We performed a descriptive analysis of the sample’s baseline characteristics and the NCCN FKSI 19 questionnaire. We also conducted a survival analysis.

The baseline FKSI 19 score demonstrates its prognostic potential, HR of 0.94 (95% CI 0.92–0.97). Our prognostic model would include: FKSI < 58 (HR 3.61 95% CI 1.97–6.61), anemia, thrombocytosis, non-clear cell histology, and metastatic hepatic involvement. AUC 0.86 (95%CI 0.77–0.95).

Although it would need external validation, the proposed nomogram could be an alternative to other previously described models. The NCCN FKSI 19 baseline score could replace the clinician’s subjective determination of PS.

Not applicable.