Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has served as the foundation of therapy for a majority of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). For patients with metastatic clear cell RCC, there are several immunotherapy-based combinations that have demonstrated robust long-term outcomes. Selection of the ideal combination for each individual patient requires nuanced strategies that are highlighted in NCCN Guidelines. More recently, data have emerged showing benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with variant histologies. Lastly, pembrolizumab has been approved in the adjuvant setting for patients with clear cell RCC who are at high risk of recurrence after nephrectomy.