Immunotherapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Immunotherapy with autologous tumor cells, tumor cell vaccines, and immune RNA did not become established in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, as the response rates were low, and in some investigations, no response at all could be detected. In the past, cytokines such as interferons, IL-2, and TNF have been tested on a large scale in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. However, the rates of objective remission (partial and complete) are disappointing, only rarely exceeding 20%. Up to now, longer survival could not be demonstrated in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma after treatment with cytokines. The combination of IFN-alpha and IL-2 by subcutaneous administration appears to provide results similar to those of other treatment modalities with lower morbidity. However, because generally accepted treatment schedules for cytokine therapy do not exist, and because the patients who would profit most from treatment with cytokines cannot be exactly defined, the administration of these agents is indicated at present only in the context of prospective clinical trials.