Sequence of Treatments May Induce Clinical Response in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., March 13, 2008 — Several recently approved agents offer promising treatment possibilities for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the order in which these agents are administered may positively impact clinical response, according to a presentation given during the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 13th Annual Conference: Clinical Practice Guidelines & Quality Cancer Care™.

Until recently, there were very few agents to treat RCC and those available caused significant side effects. With the approval of agents such as sunitinib, sorafenib, temsirolimus and eventually bevacizumab, patients now have more treatment options, according to Roberto Pili, MD, Associate Professor of Oncology and Urology at The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.

Researchers have observed that some patients continue to demonstrate clinical benefit when they are given these drugs in sequences despite the common biological target of these treatments. While no magic combination has yet been codified, researchers hope to determine optimal sequences and combinations of drugs to maximize patient survival.

“We can envision several combination strategies to treat kidney cancer patients,” Dr. Pili said. In addition, “There are several drugs and agents still in development for the treatment of kidney cancer that potentially may offer some promise.” Dr. Pili suggested that combination and sequence strategies may also soon include agents like the pan VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors axitinib and pazopanib, both of which are currently being studied in ongoing clinical trials.