[Treatment of metastatic renal cancer: current validity of immunotherapy]

To assess the significance and effects of conventional immunotherapy for management of disseminated renal cancer.

Historical data from studies conducted with cytokines, interferon, and interleukin are reviewed, their combinations are evaluated, and the different relevant studies available are compared.

While diverse, results are poor in terms of objective response and its duration. Historical series using interleukin-2 achieved, despite severe side effects, disease remissions, some of them complete.

Currently, after the advent of new drugs, use of conventional immunotherapy may be indicated for specific patients with a good general condition undergoing previous nephrectomy for a clear cell carcinoma at least 12 months before occurrence of metastasis in a single organ, preferably the lung, and with normal levels of hemoglobin, calcium, and lactate dehydrogenase, looking for that small percentage of stable and sustained responses.