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Updated: May 8, 2026

A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
Immune therapy for kidney cancer: a second dawn?
David F McDermott1, Michael B Atkins
1Biologic Therapy Program, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. dmcdermo@bidmc.harvard.edu
Abstract:
Agents targeting the immune system have been a historical standard of care in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but have largely been supplanted by newer targeted therapy. Recent insights into the regulation of an anti-tumor immune response has led to the development of agents that can activate immune responses primarily within the tumor, enabling the possibility of achieving durable tumor response in the absence of significant systemic toxicity. In addition, a better understanding of tumor immunology has raised the potential of developing predictive biomarkers of response to immunotherapy. Novel approaches including inhibition of immune checkpoints has entered clinical testing in RCC.
Insights
New immunotherapies activate anti-tumor immune responses within the tumor, offering durable responses with less systemic toxicity for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Research is exploring predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Medical Science
Background:
- Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment historically relied on immune system agents.
- Targeted therapies have largely replaced traditional immune agents in RCC management.
- Recent advancements focus on modulating anti-tumor immune responses within the tumor microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore novel immunotherapeutic approaches for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- To investigate agents that activate localized anti-tumor immune responses, minimizing systemic toxicity.
- To identify potential predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response in RCC.
Main Methods:
- Review of current research on immune system agents in RCC.
- Analysis of novel therapeutic strategies focusing on in-situ immune activation.
- Exploration of tumor immunology insights for biomarker development.
Main Results:
- Development of agents activating immune responses primarily within the tumor.
- Potential for durable tumor response with reduced systemic toxicity.
- Advancement in understanding tumor immunology for biomarker discovery.
Conclusions:
- Novel immunotherapies show promise for treating metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- Targeting immune checkpoints represents a key area of clinical investigation in RCC.
- Further research into predictive biomarkers is crucial for optimizing immunotherapy in RCC.
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