Isolated perfusion of the kidney with tumor necrosis factor for localized renal-cell carcinoma

Patients with localized renal-cell carcinoma who are candidates for renal parenchymal sparing surgery are being treated with isolated renal perfusion with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Isolated organ perfusion is a surgical technique that allows a cancer-bearing organ or region of the body to be treated with high doses of chemotherapy or biologic, agents that would not be tolerated systemically. In patients with in-transit melanoma or unresectable sarcoma, treatment with hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion using TNF, interferon-gamma, and melphalan has resulted in response rates exceeding 90%. Because preclinical studies suggest that TNF may induce regression of tumors by causing hemorrhagic necrosis mediated by effects on tumor-related vascular endothelium, a vascular tumor such as renal-cell carcinoma could potentially be very responsive. A phase I study of escalating TNF doses delivered via isolated renal perfusion is currently being conducted.