Personalized Management of Advanced Kidney Cancer

Abstract

The treatment of renal cell carcinoma represents one of the great success stories in translational cancer research, with the development of novel therapies targeting key oncogenic pathways. These include drugs that target the VEGF and mTOR pathways, as well as novel immuno-oncology agents. Despite the therapeutic advancements, there is a paucity of well-validated prognostic and predictive biomarkers in advanced kidney cancer. With a number of highly effective therapies available across multiple lines, it will become increasingly important to develop a more tailored approach to treatment selection. Prognostic clinical models, such the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) model, are routinely used for prognostication in clinical practice. The IMDC model has demonstrated a predictive capability in the context of these treatments including immune checkpoint inhibition. A number of promising molecular markers and gene expression signatures are being explored as prognostic and predictive biomarkers, but none are ready to be widely used for treatment selection. In this review, we will explore the current landscape of personalized care in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This will include a focus on both prognostic and predictive factors as well as clinical applications of biology in kidney cancer.