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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
Current immunotherapeutic strategies in renal cell carcinoma
1Genitourinary Oncology Program, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, 6560 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, USA. ramato@tmh.tmc.edu
Abstract:
Advanced renal cell carcinoma remains resistant to drug-, hormone-, and cytokine-based therapies. Promising new immunotherapeutic approaches include monoclonal antibodies, kinase inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition, dendritic cell, and tumor antigen vaccines. Most of these approaches have yet to produce clinical responses significantly superior to those of previous standard therapies, although most are well tolerated and elicit relatively high rates of stable disease. Two recently approved agents, a kinase inhibitor and a mTOR inhibitor, are recommended for use as first-line therapies against renal cell carcinoma. An additional approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor, sorafenib, is recommended as second-line therapy. More clinical research on these agents and their use in combination, especially sequentially, is warranted.
Insights
Advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) shows resistance to traditional treatments. New immunotherapies offer promise, with some kinase and mTOR inhibitors now recommended for first- and second-line therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is notoriously resistant to conventional therapies like drugs, hormones, and cytokines.
- Current treatment paradigms for advanced RCC require novel therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review promising immunotherapeutic approaches for advanced renal cell carcinoma.
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of emerging treatments, including kinase inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on immunotherapeutic strategies for advanced renal cell carcinoma.
- Analysis of clinical responses and adverse events associated with novel agents.
Main Results:
- While many novel immunotherapies show promise, few have demonstrated significantly superior clinical responses compared to existing standards.
- Approved agents include a kinase inhibitor and a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor for first-line therapy, and sorafenib as a second-line option.
- Most new agents are well-tolerated and achieve high rates of stable disease.
Conclusions:
- Kinase inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors represent important advancements in first- and second-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma.
- Further clinical research, particularly investigating combination and sequential therapies, is essential to optimize treatment efficacy.
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