[Systemic therapy of renal cell carcinoma]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
M Staehler1, C Tüllmann, P Nuhn
1Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, München, Deutschland. michael.staehler@med.uni-muenchen.de
Abstract:
Systemic therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma has completely changed in the last 5 years. Although a cure for the disease is still not achieved with systemic treatment in the majority of cases immunotherapy is no longer used. The therapeutic regiments are mainly based on angiogenic inhibitors such as sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, everolimus and temsirolimus as well as the combination of bevacizumab with interferon. This article gives an overview of these treatment options and the clinical setting for their usage. To achieve a prolonged progression-free survival, a continuous therapy based on the new drugs is necessary. The major goal of the treatment remains to keep the disease stable as complete remission is only seen in 2-4% of cases. With these lengthy treatment regimes a schedule for sequenced administration of drugs is necessary for most of the patients. The optimal treatment sequence is unknown and should be chosen based on the individual course of the disease and the side effects as well as comorbidities. The role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies remains unclear.
Insights
Systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma now relies on angiogenic inhibitors, not immunotherapy. Continuous treatment with these drugs is essential for prolonged progression-free survival, with optimal sequencing individualized.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treatment has rapidly evolved over the past five years.
- Immunotherapy is largely replaced by targeted therapies in current mRCC management.
- Angiogenic inhibitors form the cornerstone of systemic therapy for mRCC.
Purpose:
- To provide an overview of current systemic treatment options for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
- To discuss the clinical application and necessity of continuous therapy with novel agents.
- To highlight the importance of individualized treatment sequencing based on disease progression and patient factors.
Summary:
- Current mRCC systemic regimens primarily utilize angiogenic inhibitors (e.g., sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib) and combinations like bevacizumab with interferon.
- Prolonged progression-free survival necessitates continuous administration of these newer therapeutic agents.
- Disease stabilization is the primary treatment goal, as complete remission rates remain low (2-4%).
Impact:
- Establishes the need for continuous, sequenced drug administration in mRCC management.
- Emphasizes that optimal treatment sequences are currently undefined and require personalized approaches.
- Underscores the unclear role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in the current mRCC treatment landscape.
Related Concept Videos
02:56Treatment Resistent Cancers
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
02:49Cancer 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...
02:49Cancer 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...