Do the results of the new trials change the standard treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer?
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.
Mulder
Sasja F
SF
Department of Medicical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
van Spronsen
Dick Johan
DJ
De Mulder
Pieter H M
PH
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary*; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077157:Sorafenib; D000077210:Sunitinib; D015996:Survival Rate
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D016207:Cytokines; D007211:Indoles; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D011725:Pyridines; D011758:Pyrroles; D009536:Niacinamide; C401859:temsirolimus; D000077157:Sorafenib; D000077210:Sunitinib; D020123:Sirolimus