Metastatic renal cell carcinoma: recent advances and current therapeutic options.

For many years immuno(chemo)therapy has been the only therapeutic option for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Few patients, however, experienced long-term disease control and toxicity was considerable. Recent advances in understanding the biology and genetics of this malignancy have led to novel-targeted therapeutic approaches. Since 2003, a multitude of new drugs have been developed and tested, with small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies appearing to be the most promising agents. In the following, we give a concise overview on results of current trials in metastatic renal cell carcinoma published within 2007. Moreover, we will translate these results into therapeutic options and recommendations.