Immunotherapy for renal cell carcinoma

Since spontaneous regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has been reported, immunotherapy for mRCC has been the therapeutic option. The goal of modulating an immune response to the tumor cell with passive and/or active immunotherapy can be achieved through the increasing technological sophistication and the understanding of the immune system. Currently, among the several available cytokines to treat mRCC, high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) administration is the only way to obtain complete remission. However, due to the lack of prominent benefit and toxicity of high dose IL-2 therapy, cytokine-based immunotherapy for the treatment of mRCC is threatened by the intriguing molecularly targeted agents, which are still under the trials. Different types of cellular (autologous tumor cell, gene modified tumor cell, dendritic cell) and non-cellular therapeutic vaccines of mRCC have been applied in the clinical setting, and the success of clinical effectiveness in selected population has been reported. Future treatment approaches for mRCC or locally advanced RCC would be directed with combined therapy with immunotherapy and targeted agent. Additionally, molecularly targeted agents and vaccines modulating tumor immunology cascade will be another immunotherapeutic approach for RCC.