Onkológia 4/2016

Immune therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma consists of several phases. Significant role in the management of renal cell cancer is played by immune therapy. Historical introduction of cytokines, such as interferon alpha (IFN α) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) led to first encouraging results in a chemotherapy resistant disease. Treatment with cytokines have seemingly gone forgotten, but major referral centres experts consider it’s role as major and important, in spite it’s benefit for small group of patients that have not been overcome by other agents. The center of interest currently arise for modern immune therapy with potential to stimulate patients immune system in order to provide antineoplastic effect. Data from a phase III trial with nivolumab, inhibitor of program death cell receptor 1 (PD-1) led to registration of nivolumab for treatment after failure of prior anti-angiogenic agent in USA and Europe. Another clinical trials evaluating inhibitors of immune “checkpoints”, their combinations or combinations with cytokines and anti-angiogenic agents are underway. This group of drugs brings major advancement in treatment of metastatic clear cell renal cancer and it is vital to deliver them into practice for the benefit of our patients.

Keywords: renal cell carcinoma, metastatic disease, immune therapy, cytokines, immune „checkpoints“