Treatment of metastatic renal cancer: current validity of immunotherapy

Objective: To assess the significance and effects of conventional immunotherapy for management of disseminated renal cancer. Materials and methods: Historical data from studies conducted with cytokines, interferon, and interleukin are reviewed, their combinations are evaluated, and the different relevant studies available are compared. Discussion: While diverse, results are poor in terms of objective response and its duration. Historical series using interleukin-2 achieved, despite severe side effects, disease remissions, some of them complete. Conclusions: Currently, after the advent of new drugs, use of conventional immunotherapy may be indicated for specific patients with a good general condition undergoing previous nephrectomy for a clear cell carcinoma at least 12 months before occurrence of metastasis in a single organ, preferably the lung, and with normal levels of hemoglobin, calcium, and lactate dehydrogenase. looking for that small percentage of stable and sustained responses.