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Renal cell carcinoma: current status and future directions
Cynthia L Martel1, Primo N Lara
1Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, Davis Cancer Center, 4501 X Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
|February 27, 2003
Summary
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) incidence is rising. While localized RCC is surgically treated, metastatic RCC therapy remains challenging, necessitating novel treatment strategies for improved patient survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urology
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) incidence has increased 2-4% annually since the 1970s.
- Key risk factors include smoking, obesity, end-stage renal disease, and genetic syndromes like von Hippel-Lindau disease.
- Approximately 30% of patients present with metastatic disease, posing a significant treatment challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current treatment modalities for renal cell carcinoma.
- To highlight the challenges in managing metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
- To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies for improved outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of renal cell carcinoma incidence, risk factors, and treatment outcomes.
- Analysis of surgical, chemotherapeutic, and biologic therapy approaches.
- Evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies in ongoing clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Localized RCC is effectively treated with surgical resection.
- Metastatic RCC management remains inadequate, with limited success from traditional chemotherapy.
- Biologic therapies (interleukin-2, interferon) show responses in a minority of patients.
- Allogeneic stem cell transplantation shows promising preliminary results.
Conclusions:
- While localized RCC has favorable outcomes with surgery, metastatic RCC requires further research and development of effective treatments.
- Novel approaches including anti-angiogenesis agents, CDK inhibitors, and tumor vaccines offer hope for improved metastatic RCC management.
- Continued investigation into advanced therapies is crucial for enhancing survival rates in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.