The kinase inhibitors sorafinib and sunitinib have demonstrated significant activity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and are now approved by the FDA for use in advanced disease. There still remains a need for novel therapies. Our group were the first to demonstrate activity of thalidomide in RCC, believed to be in part related to the modulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a), a cytokine secreted by RCC with a number of tumor promoting properties. We subsequently conducted a phase II trial of the TNF-a monoclonal antibody infliximab in patients with previously treated advanced RCC. The drug was well tolerated. The response rate was 16% and stability was achieved in a further 16% of patients. Anti-TNF-a therapy may represent an important approach in the treatment of this disease.
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Nick Maisey (2007) studied this question.
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