Novel therapies for renal cell carcinoma

Metastatic renal cell cancer remains a disease which is difficult to treat medically. Prognosis often depends more on intrinsic disease features than on treatment choices. In this review, we examine novel therapies and scientific directions surrounding the RCC treatment problem. Reports relating chromosomal aberrations and of comparative gene expression analyses relating to RCC, are reviewed briefly. The central role of the von Hippel Lindau protein in clear cell RCC pathogenesis is evident. The limited contribution of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy is mentioned. Some clinically applied agents whose clinical results are highlighted include 5-FU, retinoids, thalidomide, razoxane and IL-12. Features of the pathophysiology of von Hippel Lindau protein are described, with attention to potential novel therapies targeting HIF-1alpha, VEGF, TGF-beta1 and TGF-alpha pathways. Immunotherapy is being explored in many angles. Most basic are cytokine therapies incorporating new IL-2 and IFN-alpha schedules. Newer cytokine-based drugs include pegylated forms and IL-12. Allogeneic mini-transplantation has generated much interest. Tumour-associated antigens are being used to direct therapy using both identified and non-identified epitopes. A variety of tumour-cell vaccine and dendritic-cell vaccine clinical approaches are discussed. Finally, nephrectomy for known metastatic disease has been demonstrated to be helpful in retrospective and now prospective trials. Resection of metastases is also discussed. We are optimistic that the further clinical development among these novel therapies will improve the outlook for metastatic RCC.