Progress of molecular targeted therapies for advanced renal cell carcinoma

Biomed Res Int. 2013:2013:419176. doi: 10.1155/2013/419176. Epub 2013 Sep 4.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in tumor angiogenesis. VEGF expression in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is mostly regulated by hypoxia, predominantly via the hypoxia-induced factor (HIF)/Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) pathway. Advances in our knowledge of VEGF role in tumor angiogenesis, growth, and progression have permitted development of new approaches for the treatment of mRCC, including several agents targeting VEGF and VEGF receptors: tyrosine kinase pathway, serine/threonine kinases, α 5 β 1-integrin, deacetylase, CD70, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), AKT, and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K). Starting from sorafenib and sunitinib, several targeted therapies have been approved for mRCC treatment, with a long list of agents in course of evaluation, such as tivozanib, cediranib, and VEGF-Trap. Here we illustrate the main steps of tumor angiogenesis process, defining the pertinent therapeutic targets and the efficacy and toxicity profiles of these new promising agents.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Phenylurea Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Quinazolines / administration & dosage
  • Quinolines / administration & dosage
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics*

Substances

  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Quinazolines
  • Quinolines
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • tivozanib
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
  • cediranib