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Updated: May 22, 2026
A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
Systemic therapy in renal cell carcinoma: advancing paradigms
Abstract:
The 21st century has seen an explosion in the development of agents for renal-cell carcinoma (RCC), a malignancy previously considered refractory to systemic therapy beyond cytokine therapy. At this time, there are six US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agents available. In addition, there was a recent favorable review by the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of a next-generation vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitor, axitinib (Inlyta); other agents are in advanced testing. Moreover, while VEGF- and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-targeted therapies have become the mainstay of RCC treatment, other new molecular targets and therapeutic approaches are being developed. The availability of active agents also brings opportunities for additional clinical maneuvers, such as neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, as well as a need for decisions on combinatorial therapeutics in the advanced disease setting. Together, these developments and the issues they raise pose important challenges for oncologists and cancer biologists, given the limited number of patients and resources available for studies and the urgent clinical needs of the patients and families affected by RCC.
Insights
Recent advancements offer new treatments for renal-cell carcinoma (RCC), a cancer once resistant to therapy. New agents targeting VEGF and mTOR are now standard, with more therapies in development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) was historically refractory to systemic treatments beyond cytokine therapy.
- The 21st century has witnessed significant progress in developing novel agents for RCC.
- Currently, six agents are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for RCC treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current landscape of systemic agents for renal-cell carcinoma.
- To highlight emerging therapeutic targets and approaches in RCC treatment.
- To discuss the implications of new agent availability for clinical practice and research.
Main Methods:
- Review of FDA-approved agents and ongoing clinical trials for RCC.
- Analysis of current treatment paradigms, including VEGF and mTOR inhibitors.
- Discussion of future directions, including neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy and combination strategies.
Main Results:
- Six FDA-approved agents are currently available for RCC.
- Next-generation vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors, such as axitinib, show promise.
- VEGF and mTOR targeted therapies are now the mainstay of RCC treatment, with other molecular targets under investigation.
Conclusions:
- The development of novel agents has transformed RCC treatment from a refractory malignancy to one with multiple systemic options.
- New therapeutic strategies, including combination therapies and neoadjuvant/adjuvant approaches, are emerging.
- Challenges remain in optimizing treatment decisions and conducting research due to patient and resource limitations.
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