State-of-the-art treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Targeted therapy has greatly changed the way in which metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is treated. Agents that inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways that otherwise lead to angiogenesis have now become the standard of care. Much research into the sequence and combination of these agents is ongoing, and new anti-angiogenic agents are being developed. This overview covers the standard treatment of metastatic rcc with targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. Future directions and ongoing clinical trials are also discussed.