Abstract
New findings from the field of tumor biology, the tumor microenvironment and the role of the immune system in response to the presence of a tumor are behind the influx of new molecules suitable for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer. Two new molecules - cabozantinib and lenvatinib - have been added to the established VEGFR inhibitors in the last year.
Cabozantinib demonstrated higher efficacy in pretreated patients compared to everolimus, lenvatinib in combination with everolimus compared to everolimus monotherapy. Nivolumab is the first "check-point" inhibitor approved for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.
The results of preclinical studies indicate a possible synergistic effect of VEGFR inhibitors and immunotherapy, which leads to the design of clinical studies with combined therapy targeting several signal transduction pathways and the tumor microenvironment.