[Targeted therapies: sequential and combined treatments]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Metastatic kidney cancer treatment has evolved significantly with new targeted therapies.
• International guidelines are updated, but key questions remain regarding optimal treatment sequencing and combinations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent studies on targeted therapies for metastatic kidney cancer, focusing on data presented at ASCO 2007 and 2008.
• To highlight ongoing research addressing critical questions in treatment optimization.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent clinical studies and congress presentations (ASCO 2007, 2008).
• Discussion of ongoing clinical trials investigating treatment sequencing, combinations, and efficacy in specific settings.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated efficacy of several targeted agents including sunitinib, sorafenib, temsirolimus, bevacizumab with interferon, and everolimus.
• Emerging data on the tolerability and efficacy of combined targeted therapies.

Conclusions:

• The optimal sequencing of targeted therapies for metastatic kidney cancer requires further investigation.
• Ongoing studies aim to optimize treatment through exploring combinations, different histological subtypes, and neoadjuvant/adjuvant settings.