Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
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
Abstract:
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is notoriously chemoresistant; up until recently, immunotherapy (in particular interferon-alpha) has represented the treatment of choice. The understanding of the biology of RCC has resulted in the development of targeted therapies. In particular, multikinase inhibitors (sunitinib, sorafenib, axitinib, pazopanib), antivascular endothelial growth factor agents (bevacizumab), and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (temsirolimus, everolimus) now have a role in the approach to different subsets of RCC. Sunitinib is indicated for the first-line therapy of metastatic RCC as a consequence of a positive phase III trial versus interferon-alpha; sorafenib is now registered for the second-line treatment of RCC, which was earlier treated with cytokine as a consequence of a positive phase III trial versus placebo. Bevacizumab is also indicated in the first-line treatment of metastatic RCC given in combination with interferon-alpha as a consequence of two positive phase III trials. Temsirolimus, unlike the other agents, has also shown activity in poor-prognosis patients, and is now the treatment of choice in previously untreated poor-prognosis RCC as a single agent. Everolimus can be considered as the best therapeutic option in patients with RCC pretreated with targeted agents as a consequence of a positive phase III study versus best supportive care. Markers for appropriate treatment selection, combined use of targeted agents, treatment of special histologies, and adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting represent important special issues to be dealt with in future studies.
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 Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistent Cancers
Tumor Immunotherapy
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer Therapies
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 Medicine
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...

