Purpose/objectives: To review standard and investigational treatments in advanced renal cell carcinoma, with a focus on thalidomide.
Data Sources: Published articles, conference proceedings, treatment guidelines, and textbooks.
Data Synthesis: The prognosis for advanced renal cell carcinoma when treated with standard regimens is poor; therefore, new treatments are needed.
Invest New Drugs
November 2002
Objectives: To evaluate the toxicity and activity of thalidomide in patients with advanced metastatic renal cell cancer and to measure changes of one angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)165, with therapy.
Patients And Methods: 29 patients were enrolled on a study of thalidomide using an intra-patient dose escalation schedule. Patients began thalidomide at 400 mg/d and escalated as tolerated to 1200 mg/d by day 54.