Interdisciplinary Recommendations for the Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Thanks to the use of targeted therapies, the prognosis of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has improved significantly. A median overall survival of more than 2 years is a realistic claim. These improvements are also reflected in recent discussions about 3 and more lines of therapy.Sunitinib, pazopanib, the combination of bevacizumab and interferon alpha, and temsirolimus are approved for first-line therapy of mRCC. Sunitinib and pazopanib are also approved for second-line therapy, which, for pazopanib, is confined to the use after cytokine failure. Everolimus (after tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment), sorafenib (after cytokines) and axitinib (after treatment with sunitinib or cytokines) are other compounds available for second-line therapy.3 new substances have recently been approved for second-line therapy: Nivolumab, cabozantinib, and lenvatinib combined with everolimus can be used after VEGF-targeted treatment has failed. It is for the first time that targeted immunotherapy and a combination of targeted substances are available for the treatment of mRCC.There is no new insight as to an optimal sequence therapy. Study results from a phase III trial suggest that the sequences sorafenib-sunitinib and sunitinib-sorafenib are equally effective.The purpose of an interdisciplinary expert meeting on RCC was to work out joint treatment recommendations based on current data and clinical experience and to integrate them into clinical routine practice. The results are presented in this publication.