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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Modeling Spontaneous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) in Mice Following Nephrectomy
Published on: April 29, 2014
Vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
1Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, 9500 Euclid Avenue/Desk R35, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. rinib2@ccf.org
Abstract:
Inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene in most sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors leads to a fundamental reliance on elements of this pathway, namely, the potent proangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Thus, VEGF-targeted therapeutics have undergone extensive clinical testing in RCC. Approaches to bind circulating VEGF protein (eg, bevacizumab) and small molecule inhibitors of the receptor on which the VEGF ligand binds (eg, sunitinib, sorafenib, axitinib, and pazopanib) have been tested. Robust clinical effects have been observed, including high objective response rates, prolonged progression-free survival, and evidence of long overall survival for patients with metastatic RCC patients who are treated with these agents. Future directions include investigation of combination and sequenced therapy, elucidation of mechanisms of response and resistance, and exploration of the effect of these agents in other disease settings.
Insights
Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is crucial for treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC) due to gene inactivation. VEGF-targeted therapies show significant clinical benefits, improving survival rates for metastatic RCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene is common in sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- This inactivation creates a reliance on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway for tumor growth.
- VEGF is a potent proangiogenic factor critical for tumor angiogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical efficacy and future directions of VEGF-targeted therapeutics in renal cell carcinoma.
- To summarize the observed clinical effects of anti-VEGF agents in metastatic RCC.
Main Methods:
- Clinical testing of VEGF-targeted therapeutics, including antibodies binding VEGF (e.g., bevacizumab) and small molecule inhibitors of VEGF receptors (e.g., sunitinib, sorafenib, axitinib, pazopanib).
- Evaluation of objective response rates, progression-free survival, and overall survival in patients with metastatic RCC.
Main Results:
- VEGF-targeted therapies have demonstrated robust clinical effects in metastatic RCC.
- High objective response rates and prolonged progression-free survival were observed.
- Evidence suggests improved overall survival for patients treated with these agents.
Conclusions:
- VEGF-targeted therapeutics are effective treatments for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
- Future research should focus on combination and sequenced therapies, understanding resistance mechanisms, and exploring applications in other settings.
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