Systemic treatment of renal cell cancer: A comprehensive review

Cancer Treat Rev. 2017 Nov:60:77-89. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2017.08.010. Epub 2017 Sep 1.

Abstract

Kidney cancer represents about 5% of all new cancer diagnoses. The most common form of kidney cancer arises from renal epithelium, named renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This entity comprises different histological and molecular subtypes. Unraveling the molecular biology and cytogenetic of RCC has enabled the development of several targeted agents that have improved treatment outcomes of these patients. This article reviews all the agents currently approved for the treatment of RCC, and discuss upcoming molecules. Mechanism of action, preclinical and clinical development and ongoing trials, are presented for each agent, providing a broad vision of the current state of targeted therapy in RCC and possible future developments.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Immunotherapy; Monoclonal antibody; Renal cell cancer; Targeted therapy; Tyrosine-kinase inhibitor; mTOR inhibitor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents