Vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Brian I Rini1

  • 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

Cancer
|April 30, 2009
PubMed

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.

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...