Targeted therapy in metastatic renal carcinoma

Abstract Background Advanced renal cell carcinoma is one of the most treatment-resistant malignancies to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. The development of new targeted therapy was result of understanding biological pathways underlying renal cell carcinoma. Our objective is to provide an overview of current therapies in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Methods MEDLINE/PUBMED was queried in December 2012 to identify abstracts, original and review articles. The research was conducted using the following words: “metastatic renal cell carcinoma” and “target therapy”. Phase II and Phase III clinical trials were included followed FDA approval. Total of 40 studies were eligible for review. Conclusion The result of this review shows benefit of these target drugs in tumor burden, increase progression-free and overall survival and improvement the quality of life compared with previous toxic immunotherapy, although complete response remains rare.