[New therapeutic opportunities in metastatic renal cell carcinoma]

M Buess1

  • 1Medizinische Klinik, St. Claraspital, Basel.

Praxis
|May 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma is now treatable with targeted therapies. This review covers molecular pathology, targeted agents like sunitinib and sorafenib, and their clinical trial results to guide treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathology

Context:

  • Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) was historically refractory to treatment.
  • Recent advances in understanding mRCC molecular pathology have improved patient prognosis.

Purpose:

  • To present the molecular pathology of mRCC, focusing on oxygen adaptation mechanisms and tumor angiogenesis.
  • To introduce targeted agents based on these mechanisms.
  • To review clinical trial data and side effects of specific targeted agents.

Summary:

  • Deregulation of oxygen adaptation mechanisms drives tumor angiogenesis in mRCC.
  • Targeted agents including sunitinib, sorafenib, temsirolimus, everolimus, and bevacizumab have shown efficacy in phase III trials.
  • Results and side effects are presented to inform treatment strategies.

Impact:

  • Improved understanding of mRCC pathogenesis.
  • Guidance on the selection and sequencing of targeted therapies for mRCC.
  • Potential for a new treatment algorithm for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

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