Emerging immunotherapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Immunotherapy has recently catapulted to the forefront of treatments for patients with solid tumors. Given its inherent immunogenic properties, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has historically responded to immunotherapy and remains primed for further development. Although immunotherapy with high-dose interleukin 2 was a primary treatment for advanced RCC (aRCC), recent discoveries of key molecular and immunological alterations have led to the FDA-approval of nivolumab, an antiprogrammed cell death inhibitor, which has demonstrated an overall survival in patients with previously treated aRCC. However, despite recent therapeutic advances, aRCC remains an incurable disease for most patients. In this review, we assess the current landscape and future developments of immunotherapy in aRCC.

Keywords: Checkpoint inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Kidney cancer; Renal cell carcinoma; Targeted therapy.