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Updated: May 12, 2026
A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
Intrinsic immune alterations in renal cell carcinoma and emerging immunotherapeutic approaches
Bruno Bockorny1, Constantin A Dasanu
1University of Connecticut, Department of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-1235, USA. Bbockorny@resident.uchc.edu
Introduction:
Individuals affected by kidney cancer present a variety of immune abnormalities including cellular immune dysfunction, cytokine alterations and antigen presentation defects. On the other hand, spontaneous remissions are seen in up to 4% of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients and they are thought to occur via immune mechanisms.
Areas Covered:
The authors comprehensively review the immune abnormalities in RCC patient and describe the kidney cancer immunotherapy candidates that are most advanced in their clinical development. Most relevant publications were identified through searching the PubMed database; the obtained information was thoroughly analyzed and synthesized.
Expert Opinion:
As cure in advanced RCC cannot be accomplished with the current therapy standards such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, new treatment strategies are being sought. Enhancing the immune system represents an appealing avenue for kidney cancer therapy. Disappointingly, high-dose interleukin-2 and interferon-α cause severe toxicity and produce a questionable clinical benefit. The authors postulate that the 'durable responses' seen with these agents in only a handful of RCC patients represent spontaneous remissions. Promising immune strategies in RCC such as anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein antibodies, anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1)/PD1 ligand and tumor vaccines may expand the existing options for kidney cancer in future years.
Insights
Kidney cancer patients often have immune issues. While current treatments fall short, novel immunotherapies targeting the immune system show promise for future kidney cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Medical Science
Background:
- Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma, RCC) is associated with immune system abnormalities, including impaired cellular immunity, altered cytokines, and defective antigen presentation.
- Spontaneous remissions, occurring in up to 4% of RCC patients, are hypothesized to be immune-mediated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review immune abnormalities in kidney cancer patients.
- To describe the most advanced immunotherapy candidates for renal cell carcinoma in clinical development.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed database.
- Relevant publications were identified, analyzed, and synthesized to provide an overview of kidney cancer immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Current standard therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors are insufficient for curing advanced RCC.
- High-dose interleukin-2 and interferon-α exhibit significant toxicity and limited clinical benefit, with observed responses potentially attributed to spontaneous remissions.
Conclusions:
- Enhancing the immune system is a promising therapeutic strategy for kidney cancer.
- Emerging immunotherapies, including anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein antibodies, anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1)/PD1 ligand therapies, and tumor vaccines, hold potential for future kidney cancer treatment options.
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