Renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 2% of cancer diagnoses and deaths worldwide. Clear-cell RCCs represent the vast majority (85%) of kidney cancers and are considered morphologically and genetically as immunogenic tumors. Indeed, the RCC tumoral microenvironment comprises T cells and myeloid cells in an immunosuppressive state, providing an opportunity to restore their activity through immunotherapy. Standard first-line systemic treatment for metastatic patients includes immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD1, in combination with either another ICI or with antiangiogenic targeted therapy. During the past few years, several combinations have been approved with an overall survival benefit and overall response rate that depend on the combination. Interestingly, some patients achieve prolonged complete responses, raising the question of whether these metastatic RCC patients can be cured. This review will focus on recent therapeutic advances in RCC and the clinical and biological aspects underpinning the potential for healing.
Cancers. 2023 Jan 27*** epublish ***
Jonathan Thouvenin, Claire Masson, Philippe Boudier, Denis Maillet, Sabine Kuchler-Bopp, Philippe Barthélémy, Thierry Massfelder
Medical Oncology Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Lyon Sud, 69310 Pierre-Bénite, France., Regenerative NanoMedicine, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), UMR_S U1260 INSERM, University of Strasbourg, 67085 Strasbourg, France., Medical Oncology Department, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France.