Immunotherapy for Renal Cell Carcinoma-What More is to Come?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Nephrology

Background:

• Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a chemoresistant malignancy.
• Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed RCC treatment.
• Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens have improved outcomes in metastatic RCC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current ICI-based regimens for metastatic RCC.
• To discuss ongoing clinical trials exploring novel combinations and immunotherapies.
• To highlight strategies for improving antitumor T cell immunity and response durability.

Main Methods:

• Review of current standard of care ICI-based regimens.
• Analysis of ongoing clinical trials for novel combinations and immunotherapies.
• Discussion of approaches to enhance T cell activation and tumor microenvironment infiltration.

Main Results:

• Current first-line therapies for metastatic RCC include dual ICIs or anti-PD-1 plus VEGFR TKIs.
• Despite advances, durable responses with current ICI-based regimens remain infrequent.
• Novel immunotherapies aim to boost T cell responses against RCC.

Conclusions:

• Innovative treatment strategies are needed to improve durable responses in RCC.
• Novel combinations and immunotherapies show promise for enhancing T cell immunity.
• Future therapies may improve RCC patient outcomes by increasing treatment response durability.