Do the results of the new trials change the standard treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer?

• Published in: Onkologie Vol. 30; no. 5; p. 260
• Main Authors: Mulder, Sasja F, van Spronsen, Dick Johan, De Mulder, Pieter H M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01.05.2007
• Subjects: Angiogenesis Inhibitors - adverse effects; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - economics; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - economics; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Benzenesulfonates - adverse effects; Benzenesulfonates - economics; Benzenesulfonates - therapeutic use; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - blood supply; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - secondary; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cytokines - adverse effects; Cytokines - economics; Cytokines - therapeutic use; Drug Costs; Humans; Indoles - adverse effects; Indoles - economics; Indoles - therapeutic use; Kidney Neoplasms - blood supply; Kidney Neoplasms - drug therapy; Kidney Neoplasms - mortality; Long-Term Care - economics; Lung Neoplasms - blood supply; Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy; Lung Neoplasms - mortality; Lung Neoplasms - secondary; Niacinamide - analogs & derivatives; Phenylurea Compounds; Pyridines - adverse effects; Pyridines - economics; Pyridines - therapeutic use; Pyrroles - adverse effects; Pyrroles - economics; Pyrroles - therapeutic use; Sirolimus - adverse effects; Sirolimus - analogs & derivatives; Sirolimus - economics; Sirolimus - therapeutic use; Survival Rate
• ISSN: 0378-584X
• DOI: 10.1159/000101194

With the emergence of novel angiogenesis inhibitors, we are moving to a new era for patients with metastasized renal cell carcinoma. Since the results achieved reflect more a modification of the natural course of the disease than a cure, past achievements should not be neglected. Low-risk patients with clear cell histology, especially those with pulmonary metastasis only, should still be offered cytokine therapy. For intermediate-risk patients sunitinib is the treatment of choice. For high-risk patients, temsirolimus has to date provided the most convincing data, its availability is however limited. Data with sorafenib and sunitinib in the high-risk group are still anecdotal. The toxicity profiles of these 2 drugs are different and might particularly relate to patients with known cardiovascular co-morbidity. No sufficient data are available regarding sequential use. After cytokine failure, sorafinib is the treatment of choice. Patients should preferably be treated within clinical trials to answer unaddressed questions. It is well known that the strict entry criteria used within the clinical studies were applied very flexibly when drugs have been approved. These aspects require a careful follow-up to ascertain optimal use and to prevent misuse. Finally, the costs of prolonged treatment will be enormous, and only meaningful survival advantages will convince the health authorities to make these new treatments available for all patients.