Optimizing Treatment Approaches in Advanced Renal Cancer

Over the last decade, improved understanding of canonical pathways implicated in the unique biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has fueled the development of several new approaches to treatment for this malignancy. Development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors; mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors; and, more recently, targeted immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors has had a major impact on the natural history of this disease. Clinical prognostic models also have played a central role in the management of metastatic disease, as well as in the design and interpretation of clinical trials. Currently, 11 regimens are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of advanced RCC, and there is a growing role for localized approaches, including surgery, in appropriately selected patients. This article reviews current registration data for approved agents, and offers an outlook on selected novel strategies. A practical perspective on the multidisciplinary management of advanced RCC is provided, with a focus on systemic therapy.