Systemic Therapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Cytokines

Immunotherapy with cytokines (interferon and interleukin-2) have been the primary systemic therapy option for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma until very recently. Despite the improved outcomes demonstrated by VEGF targeted therapies, these agents do not produce complete remesions or cures. At present, high-dose interleukin-2 remains the only therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma that has the potential to produce durable CR’s and apparent cures, albeit in a small proportion of highly selected patients. Clinical study of combinations of cytokines and VEGF targeted therapy are ongoing. Immunotherapy continues to be an important part of the therapeutic armamentarium for renal cell carcinoma and deserves further development.