Molecular and Genetic Medicine

An Update on Targeted Therapies in Renal Cell Carcinomas

Abstract

Ajaz S and Abid A

The advancements in understanding of biological mechanisms in RCCs have led to the development and application of targeted therapies. The FDA approved targeted therapies are mainly directed against angiogenesis, mTOR pathways, and immune checkpoint inhibition. VEGF overexpression due to VHL gene mutation or alteration in majority of RCCs makes it one of the most suitable targets for development of therapy. Inhibitors and antibodies against VEGF or VEGFR have shown promising results in metastatic RCCs. mTOR pathway inhibition has also proven to be an efficacious strategy as well as antibodies targeting the immune checkpoints allowing T-Cells to attack tumour cells. However, there is need for improvement as certain proportion of patients may either not respond or develop resistance against targeted therapies.