Novel molecular targets for the therapy of renal cell carcinoma

Aymen A Elfiky1, Guru Sonpavde

  • 1Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.

Discovery Medicine
|June 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

The treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has shifted from cytokine therapy to targeted and antiangiogenic agents. Future developments in vaccines and immunotherapies offer new hope for improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Historically, cytokine-based therapies dominated renal cancer treatment.
  • Recent years show a significant shift in therapeutic strategies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolving therapeutic landscape of mRCC.
  • To highlight emerging treatment modalities beyond current standards.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advancements in renal cancer therapy.
  • Analysis of the impact of targeted and antiangiogenic agents.

Main Results:

  • Molecularly targeted and antiangiogenic agents are now standard for mRCC.
  • These agents represent a paradigm shift from previous cytokine-based approaches.

Conclusions:

  • While major shifts may stabilize, novel approaches like vaccines and immunotherapies are under development.
  • These emerging therapies hold promise for enhanced therapeutic outcomes in mRCC patients.

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...
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...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
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...