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Targeted therapies for renal cell carcinoma

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Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is responsible for an estimated 95,000 deaths worldwide. Metastatic RCC is refractory to radiation therapy and traditional chemotherapy. Treatment of metastatic RCC with either interleukin 2 (IL-2) or interferon-alfa (IFN-α) has demonstrated a response rate of approximately 15%. Identification of and research into the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene has led to the development of multi-kinase inhibitors and other novel molecular targeting therapies. Sunitinib and sorafenib are now commercially available agents that can improve progression-free survival. Additional targeting agents are currently under clinical investigation. Combination trials of molecular targeting agents and cytokines are ongoing in the metastatic setting as are trials using molecular targeting agents in the adjuvant setting. This review focuses on the recent advances of targeted therapy for RCC.

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  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Oncology/Hematology, 987680 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-7680, USA

    Mary Lee H. Villanueva & Ralph Hauke

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  1. Mary Lee H. Villanueva
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Correspondence to Ralph Hauke.

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Villanueva, M.L.H., Hauke, R. Targeted therapies for renal cell carcinoma. Targ Oncol 2, 7–16 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-006-0041-2

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