Translational Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Molecular Targeted Therapies for Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer

Takeshi Yuasa, Yasuhisa Fujii, Shunji Takahashi, Iwao Fukui and Junji Yonese

Major breakthroughs have occurred recently in the knowledge of the genetics and transduction pathways involved in various malignancies, including renal cell cancer (RCC). Novel targeted therapies directed against angiogenesis and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is now being developed for the treatment of metastatic RCC. Currently, four anti-angiogenesis agents, (sorafenib, sunitinib, bevacizumab, pazopanib) and two specific inhibitors of the mTOR kinase (temsirolimus and everolimus) are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Moreover, at least three other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) (axitinib from Pfizer, tivozanib from AVEO Pharmaceuticals, and dovitinib from Novartis) are in advanced stages of clinical trials. Here, we will discuss the molecular targeted agents for RCC patients in clinical trials as well as in clinical practice.