New treatment approaches in renal cell carcinoma

Gaetano Facchini1, Francesco Perri, Michele Caraglia

  • 1Department of Uro-Gynecology, National Cancer Institute of Napoli, 'Fondazione G. Pascale' via m. Semmola, Napoli, Italy. gafacchi@libero.it

Anti-Cancer Drugs
|September 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is chemoresistant, but targeted therapies like multikinase inhibitors and antivascular endothelial growth factor agents have emerged. These treatments offer new options for various RCC subsets, improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) historically showed poor response to chemotherapy.
  • Immunotherapy, specifically interferon-alpha, was the primary treatment for metastatic RCC.
  • Advances in understanding RCC biology have led to the development of targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current landscape of targeted therapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
  • To discuss the roles of multikinase inhibitors, anti-VEGF agents, and mTOR inhibitors in RCC treatment.
  • To highlight specific indications and efficacy of agents like sunitinib, sorafenib, bevacizumab, temsirolimus, and everolimus.

Main Methods:

  • Review of phase III clinical trials and established treatment guidelines for metastatic RCC.
  • Analysis of efficacy data for various targeted agents in different patient populations.
  • Discussion of current treatment strategies and future research directions.

Main Results:

  • Sunitinib is a first-line option for metastatic RCC, outperforming interferon-alpha.
  • Sorafenib and bevacizumab (with interferon-alpha) are effective in second-line and first-line settings, respectively.
  • Temsirolimus shows efficacy in poor-prognosis patients, while everolimus is suitable for patients pretreated with targeted agents.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted therapies have significantly changed the treatment paradigm for metastatic RCC.
  • Specific agents are indicated for different patient subsets, including first-line, second-line, and poor-prognosis cases.
  • Future research should focus on treatment selection markers, combination therapies, special histologies, and neoadjuvant/adjuvant 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...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...