Management of Metastatic Renal Cancer

Authors:
Patricia Thompson Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida

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 MD
and
Mayer Fishman Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida

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 MD, PhD
Volume/Issue:
Volume 3: Issue 1
Online Publication Date:
Jan 2005
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2005.0006
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The purpose of this article is to review the systemic management options for patients with metastatic renal cancer. We reviewed the literature regarding systemic management of metastatic renal cancer. Treatment options of chemotherapy agents, immunotherapy, molecularly targeted agents, allogeneic stem cell transplantation, vaccines, and other manipulations of the immune system are discussed. No chemotherapy agent used alone or in combination has consistently produced responses to substantiate its routine use. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-α (IFN-α) have shown response rates ranging from 10% to 20%. Some studies have shown that retinoids may enhance the antitumor activity of IFN-α. Molecularly targeted agents and angiogenic agents are being actively pursued and several studies are showing response rates above 30%. Although nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation shows some promising results, they also have limitations to its use. Therapy strategies that incorporate vaccines as part of comprehensive immune manipulations are also being studied. The systemic treatment of patients with advanced renal cell cancer continues to be a significant challenge. Immunotherapy treatment has shown response in up to 20% of patients. Unfortunately, most do not respond. The current technologies are promising and may be the key step for introduction of better treatments for renal cancer care.

Correspondence: Mayer Fishman, MD, PhD, Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute, MCC-4035, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612.E-mail: FishmaMN@moffitt.usf.edu
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Copyright:
Copyright © 2005 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2005
Page Numbers:
9
Article Category:
Research Article
Received:
01 Oct 2004
Accepted:
19 Nov 2004
Print Publication Date:
01 Jan 2005
Online Publication Date:
Jan 2005
Keywords:
Kidney cancer; medical management; review
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