Essential Research Priorities in Renal Cancer: A Modified Delphi Consensus Statement

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Urology
• Medical Research

Background:

• Establishing clear research priorities is essential for advancing cancer research.
• This study aimed to define critical research priorities in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.

Framework:

• A two-phase approach was employed, beginning with literature reviews and expert discussions to identify potential research gaps (RGs).
• A modified Delphi process involving 82 RCC experts was used to prioritize these gaps based on importance and criticality.

Implementation:

• Phase I involved 44 experts summarizing 24 literature reviews and identifying 39 potential RGs through discussions and patient interviews.
• Phase II utilized three Delphi surveys and two consensus meetings with 82 experts to score and refine RGs, achieving ≥70% consensus.
• Response rates increased across Delphi iterations, with participants including urologists, oncologists, radiologists, and other specialists.

Implications:

• The study identified 14 crucial research gaps in RCC, focusing on systemic therapies, quality of life management, and biomarkers.
• Priorities include research into treatments for rare subtypes and difficult-to-treat patient groups, alongside novel imaging and prognostic risk stratification.
• These identified priorities are expected to foster international collaboration to enhance patient survival and quality of life in renal cell carcinoma.