A Pilot Study of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Combined with Cytoreductive Nephrectomy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

While stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) can reduce tumor volumes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), little is known regarding the immunomodulatory effects of high-dose radiation in the tumor microenvironment. The main objectives of this pilot study were to assess the safety and feasibility of nephrectomy following SBRT treatment of patients with mRCC and analyze the immunological impact of high-dose radiation. Human RCC cell lines were irradiated and evaluated for immunomodulation.