Cytokine therapy in renal cell cancer Journal Article


Authors: Vuky, J.; Motzer, R. J.
Article Title: Cytokine therapy in renal cell cancer
Abstract: Despite extensive investigations with many different treatment modalities, metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains a disease highly resistant to systemic therapy. The outlook for patients with metastatic RCC is poor, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Late relapses after nephrectomy, prolonged stable disease in the absence of systemic therapy, and rare spontaneous regression are clinical observations that suggest host immune mechanisms could be important in regulating tumor growth. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) have been extensively studied in advanced RCC with responses in the 10 to 20% range. Two randomized trials suggest that treatment with IFN-alpha compared with vinblastine or medroxyprogesterone results in a small improvement in survival. Prolonged responses with high-dose IL-2 is significant but is accompanied by formidable toxicity. Although the combination of IFN-alpha and IL-2 compared with monotherapy with IFN-alpha or IL-2 increases the response proportion, no improvement in survival could be demonstrated in a recent randomized trial. In addition, three randomized trials showed no survival benefit associated with IFN-alpha therapy given as adjuvant therapy following complete resection of locally advanced RCC. Small numbers of patients exhibit complete or partial responses to IFN-alpha and/or IL-2, but most patients do not respond and there are few long-term survivors. Clinical investigation of new agents and treatment programs to identify improved antitumor activity against metastases remain the highest priorities in this refractory disease. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: interferon; renal cell carcinoma; cytokine; follow-up; trial; phase-ii trial; regression; spontaneous; interleukin; recombinant human interleukin-12; prospective randomized; activated killer-cells; gamma-interferon; subcutaneous interleukin-2; alpha-interferon; interferon-beta-serine
Journal Title: Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations
Volume: 5
Issue: 6
ISSN: 1078-1439
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2000-11-01
Start Page: 249
End Page: 257
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:000166302400001
DOI: 10.1016/s1078-1439(00)00068-5
PROVIDER: wos
PUBMED: 11008093
Notes: Review -- Source: Wos
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Robert Motzer
    1243 Motzer
  2. Jacqueline Vuky
    7 Vuky