New treatment modalities--the urologist's view

Therapy of metastatic RCC is still unsatisfactory. To date, biochemotherapy with IL-2 s.c., IF a2 s.c. and 5-FU i.v. is probably the best treatment available. Response rates range between 30 and 40%. Toxicity is tolerable. Patients belonging to the low risk group, (presenting none of the following risk parameters: BSR > 70 mm, LDH > 280 U/l, neutrophilic granulocytes > 6000/microliter, hemoglobin < 10 g/l, extrapulmonary or bone metastases) show the best results. Response rates of 60% and 2-year survival rates of 65% can be achieved. When selecting candidates for biotherapy, risk parameters as mentioned above should be considered. Patients presenting these criteria do not profit from biochemotherapy. Nephrectomy in metastatic RCC is indicated in symptomatic patients. As part of an integrated treatment regimen with biotherapy in asymptomatic patients, nephrectomy should be performed only after response to biotherapy. These patients show a long-lasting progression-free survival. A randomized study proving the benefit of cytoreductive surgery, however, does not exist. Experimental research recently developed numerous strategies for potential therapy. The most interesting and hopeful starting points are gene manipulation and angiogenesis. Clinical trials, however, have to be awaited.