Improving outcomes with novel therapies for patients with newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma

With the approval of sunitinib and sorafenib, 2 new multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the natural history and prognosis of patients with this disease has significantly improved. These drugs were approved based upon clinical data demonstrating robust, unprecedented response rates in one case and dramatic prolongation of progression-free survival in the other. In both cases, these results were seen in study patients in whom standard therapy had failed and who, on average, carried substantial disease burden. Important challenges today include integrating these therapies with other standard therapeutic options and into other advanced-stage RCC patient populations. This article addresses current data and practice patterns regarding the clinical use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced-stage RCC, including dose modifications and alternative dosing, the current role of debulking nephrectomy, and use in patients with indolent disease. Finally, a summary of the more common side effects and management strategies for these is also discussed. Ultimately, more clinical data is needed to address the chronic use of these agents alone, in combination with other agents, with radiation therapy, and in sequence.