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Updated: Jun 3, 2025

A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
Dynamics of resistance to immunotherapy and TKI in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma
Matteo Santoni1, Veronica Mollica2, Alessandro Rizzo3
1Medical Oncology Unit, Macerata Hospital, Macerata, Italy.
Abstract:
Immune-based combinations are the cornerstone of the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients, leading to outstanding outcomes. Nevertheless, primary resistance and disease progression is a critical clinical challenge. To properly address this issue, it is pivotal to understand the mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, that tumor eventually develop under treatment. In this review of the literature, we aim at exploring resistance mechanisms arising in patients treated with first-line immune-based combinations in order to understand the biological pattern that should be investigated to overcome them. In more detail, mechanisms of resistance to nivolumab and pembrolizumab are divided into intrinsic to cancer cells and extrinsic (stromal or immune cells). Regarding axitinib, the increased expression of Nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) or decreased levels of insulin receptor (INSR) characterize resistant cells. The secretion of non-VEGF pro-angiogenic factors, such as PDGF-BB, IL-1β, MMP-9, Gro-α, IL-8, IL-6, and CCL-2, can lead to resistance to cabozantinib. The reactivation of pathways previously targeted by lenvatinib or the activation of alternative pathways, such as EGFR-PAK2-ERK pathway, underlie the development of resistance to lenvatinib. Exploring resistance mechanism that arise during first-line therapy can lead to the development of treatment strategy able to overcome them in order to improve duration of response and patients outcomes.
Insights
Understanding resistance to first-line cancer immunotherapies is crucial. This review explores how cancer cells and their environment develop resistance to treatments like nivolumab and pembrolizumab, aiding the development of better strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- First-line immune-based combinations are standard for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), offering significant patient benefits.
- However, primary resistance and disease progression remain critical challenges in mRCC treatment.
- Understanding resistance mechanisms is vital for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and explore the mechanisms of resistance to first-line immune-based combinations in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
- To identify biological patterns associated with resistance to immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
- To provide insights for developing strategies to overcome treatment resistance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on resistance mechanisms in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
- Categorization of resistance mechanisms into intrinsic (cancer cell-related) and extrinsic (stromal or immune cell-related).
- Detailed examination of resistance pathways for specific drugs including nivolumab, pembrolizumab, axitinib, cabozantinib, and lenvatinib.
Main Results:
- Resistance to nivolumab and pembrolizumab can be intrinsic to cancer cells or extrinsic, involving stromal or immune cells.
- Axitinib resistance is linked to increased Nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) or decreased insulin receptor (INSR) expression.
- Cabozantinib resistance may involve secretion of non-VEGF pro-angiogenic factors, while lenvatinib resistance can stem from pathway reactivation or alternative pathway activation (e.g., EGFR-PAK2-ERK).
Conclusions:
- Identifying resistance mechanisms is key to overcoming them in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
- Understanding these mechanisms can guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
- Overcoming resistance will improve treatment efficacy, duration of response, and overall patient outcomes in mRCC.
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