Evaluation of the Meet-URO Score in a Real-World Cohort of mRCC Patients Treated with First-Line TKIs

<b>Background:</b> The Meet-URO score combines the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and bone metastasis status. Although developed in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) cohorts, its performance among patients receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy is uncertain. <b>Methods:</b> We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 301 adults with histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with first-line TKI monotherapy (sunitinib, pazopanib, or cabozantinib) between 2008 and 2025 across five tertiary centers in Turkey. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Meet-URO was calculated at treatment start and analyzed as prespecified risk strata (0-4, 5-8, 9). Kaplan-Meier estimates, Cox models, and Harrell's C-index assessed discrimination, with bootstrapped 95% CIs. <b>Results:</b> Median follow-up was 40 months; median OS (mOS) was 25 months (95% CI, 21-29) and median progression-free survival was 10 months (95% CI, 8-12). Meet-URO stratified OS: 41 months for scores 0-4, 21 months for 5-8, and 7 months for 9 (log-rank <i>p</i> < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, Meet-URO remained independently prognostic (HR 1.73 for 5-8 vs. 0-4; HR 3.57 for 9 vs. 0-4; both <i>p</i> < 0.001). Discrimination was modest (C-index 0.722) and slightly lower than IMDC (C-index 0.745). NLR ≥ 3.2 was associated with inferior OS (19 vs. 37 months; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Bone metastasis was not significantly associated with OS (<i>p</i> = 0.27). <b>Conclusions:</b> Meet-URO is a valid prognostic tool for mRCC patients treated with first-line TKIs and identifies an ultra-high-risk subgroup (score = 9) with poor survival. While not superior to IMDC, Meet-URO may offer complementary risk information to support clinical monitoring and trial referral, particularly in settings where ICI combinations are restricted.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-09-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14186385
Primary Topic
Renal cell carcinoma treatment
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article
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article

Evaluation of the Meet-URO Score in a Real-World Cohort of mRCC Patients Treated with First-Line TKIs

Hüseyin Salih Semiz, Faruk Recep Özalp, Oktay Halit Aktepe, Mustafa Erman et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Renal cell carcinoma treatment
article

Evaluation of the Meet-URO Score in a Real-World Cohort of mRCC Patients Treated with First-Line TKIs

Hüseyin Salih Semiz, Faruk Recep Özalp, Oktay Halit Aktepe, Mustafa Erman, Ferhat Ekinci, Şuayib Yalçın, İsmail Oğuz Kara, Ahmet Melih Arslan, Sedat Biter, Aziz Karaoğlu, Mehmet Çakmak, Ece Şahin Hafızoğlu, Rezan Berkay İzgör
article en

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> The Meet-URO score combines the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and bone metastasis status. Although developed in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) cohorts, its performance among patients receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy is uncertain. <b>Methods:</b> We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 301 adults with histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with first-line TKI monotherapy (sunitinib, pazopanib, or cabozantinib) between 2008 and 2025 across five tertiary centers in Turkey. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Meet-URO was calculated at treatment start and analyzed as prespecified risk strata (0-4, 5-8, 9). Kaplan-Meier estimates, Cox models, and Harrell's C-index assessed discrimination, with bootstrapped 95% CIs. <b>Results:</b> Median follow-up was 40 months; median OS (mOS) was 25 months (95% CI, 21-29) and median progression-free survival was 10 months (95% CI, 8-12). Meet-URO stratified OS: 41 months for scores 0-4, 21 months for 5-8, and 7 months for 9 (log-rank <i>p</i> < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, Meet-URO remained independently prognostic (HR 1.73 for 5-8 vs. 0-4; HR 3.57 for 9 vs. 0-4; both <i>p</i> < 0.001). Discrimination was modest (C-index 0.722) and slightly lower than IMDC (C-index 0.745). NLR ≥ 3.2 was associated with inferior OS (19 vs. 37 months; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Bone metastasis was not significantly associated with OS (<i>p</i> = 0.27). <b>Conclusions:</b> Meet-URO is a valid prognostic tool for mRCC patients treated with first-line TKIs and identifies an ultra-high-risk subgroup (score = 9) with poor survival. While not superior to IMDC, Meet-URO may offer complementary risk information to support clinical monitoring and trial referral, particularly in settings where ICI combinations are restricted.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(18)
Manisa Celal Bayar University (TR), Bilkent University (TR), Dokuz Eylül University (TR), Cukurova University (TR), Hacettepe University (TR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 65%
Renal cell carcinoma treatment
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