Kidney
cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma, starts in the tissues of the
kidneys. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located behind the abdominal
cavity that filter waste from the blood and remove it from the body through
urine. Kidney cancer develops when healthy kidney cells start to change and
grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. If left untreated, the cancer cells can
spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system.
There are several types of kidney cancer but clear cell renal cell carcinoma,
also called clear cell carcinoma, is the most common type accounting for about
70-75% of cases.
Emerging Targeted Therapy Drugs
Research over the past decade has led to the development of several new classes
of
Kidney
Cancer Drugs that work through targeted therapy. Unlike traditional
chemotherapy drugs that affect all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy
drugs specifically interfere with molecular changes or gene mutations that are
driving tumor growth. These targeted drugs have significantly improved response
rates and progression-free survival compared to immunotherapy alone. Some of
the main drug classes used in kidney cancer treatment include:
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs): Drugs such as sunitinib, pazopanib,
axitinib, cabozantinib, and lenvatinib target growth factor receptors on the
surface of kidney cancer cells. They block signals that tell cells to grow and
divide uncontrollably.
- mTOR inhibitors: Everolimus and temsirolimus target the mammalian target of
rapamycin (mTOR) protein, which plays a key role in cell growth, proliferation,
and angiogenesis.
- Anti-angiogenic drugs: Bevacizumab inhibits vascular endothelial growth
factor (VEGF), a protein that stimulates formation of new blood vessels to feed
tumors. Cutting off the blood supply slows tumor growth.
- MAPK pathway inhibitors: Regorafenib blocks signals from the
mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway to stop cancer cell growth and
induce cell death.
Immunotherapy Advances
In recent years, immunotherapy drugs have also emerged as another viable
treatment option for kidney cancer. Immunotherapy aims to boost the body’s
natural defenses to fight cancer. One approach involves blocking a protein
called PD-1 that helps tumors evade immune system destruction. Pembrolizumab
and nivolumab are monoclonal antibodies that target the PD-1 protein pathway.
By blocking PD-1, the drugs allow T cells to recognize cancer cells as foreign
and mount an immune response against them. In clinical trials, these immune
checkpoint inhibitors have achieved impressive overall response rates, even in
later-stage kidney cancer patients not helped by other therapies.
Nephrectomy Plus Targeted Drugs
For localized kidney tumors that are completely confined within the organ,
nephrectomy or surgical removal of the affected kidney is still the standard
first-line treatment. However, even after surgery about 30% of patients
experience disease recurrence or metastasis due to leftover microscopic tumor
deposits. In these high-risk cases, doctors now commonly recommend also giving
targeted therapies after nephrectomy to mop up any remaining cancer cells and
prevent reemergence of the disease. Clinical evidence shows this combination
approach significantly lowers risk of cancer progression compared to
nephrectomy alone. The targeted drug sunitinib given as adjuvant therapy after
surgery has been approved for this use. Ongoing studies are exploring other
targeted and immunotherapy agents in the postoperative setting for preventing
kidney cancer relapse.
With major advances made in recent years, kidney cancer is no longer viewed as
an automatic death sentence for many patients. The introduction of precision
oncology using targeted drugs tailored to individual patients’ molecular
profile has completely changed the treatment landscape. Though still an
expensive option, immunotherapy has emerged as another promising strategy for
managing this disease. Looking ahead, continued identification of genomic
alterations driving cancer and development of new agents interfering with these
pathways holds promise to further improve patient outcomes. Combination
regimens using targeted drugs together with immunotherapy also show potential
for harnessing synergistic effects. Sustained research and new clinical trials
should lead to even more targeted and personalized treatment strategies and
opportunities to cure more cases of kidney cancer in the future.
Get
more insights on – Kidney
Cancer Drugs
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