A kidney cancer diagnosis can bring uncertainty, fear, and a lot of questions. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, know that there are options and resources to feel empowered to make the best treatment choices. Read on to learn about kidney cancer and how immunotherapy is changing treatment options for patients.
Remember – you are not alone in your fight against cancer.
What is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer develops when cells in the kidney grow uncontrollably and eventually form a tumor. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist, attached to the upper wall of the abdomen, and have several essential functions in the body. The kidneys filter waste from the blood, make urine, help control blood pressure, and support red blood cell production.
Kidney cancer consists of several subtypes and is one of the ten most common cancers in the U.S., accounting for about 3–5% of all cancers. It is most common in older people, with an average age of 65 at diagnosis, and is twice as prevalent in men as in women.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a form of treatment that helps your immune system recognize and fight cancer. The immune system plays a critical role in protecting the body from disease, including cancer. Some cancers can find ways to “hide” from the immune system or shut it down, evading attack. Immunotherapy works with the body to unmask and unleash the immune system against cancer, which may help eliminate existing cancer and, in some cases, reduce the chance of it coming back.
Immunotherapy in Kidney Cancer
Currently, immunotherapy used in kidney cancer consists of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a class of therapies that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells by blocking inhibitory signals like PD-L1 and CTLA4 – essentially releasing the “brakes” on immune responses and allowing the immune system to kill the cancer cells.
ICIs used in kidney cancer include:
- PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: Pembrolizumab (KeytrudaⓇ), Nivolumab (OpdivoⓇ), Avelumab (BavencioⓇ)
- CTLA-4 inhibitors: Ipilimumab (YervoyⓇ)
It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider to determine if immunotherapy would benefit you or your loved ones.
Ongoing Research is Providing Hope
Current immunotherapy research in kidney cancer is focused on improving survival in metastatic cases and reducing the risk of recurrence after surgery. Approaches include testing new combination therapies, personalized vaccines, and strategies to overcome resistance. New types of immunotherapies are also being developed, such as CAR T-cell therapy.
Continued work in this field is bringing better therapies to patients – meaning longer survival, fewer side effects, and more personalized approaches.
Did you know?
While the annual rate of new kidney cancer diagnoses has been rising for years, death rates have been falling.
This encouraging trend reflects advances in treatment and care, helping more people live longer with the disease.
Facing a Kidney Cancer Diagnosis
Whether it’s you or a loved one, a kidney cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Be your own best advocate, educate yourself on your cancer type, the treatment options available, and the research being done in the field. Reach out to family, friends, support groups, and your care team — no one has to face cancer alone.
For more information on kidney cancer and ongoing research, read our Kidney Cancer page.
To learn more about clinical trials and find one that may be suitable for you or your loved one, visit our Clinical Trials page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does immunotherapy differ from chemotherapy?
Unlike chemotherapy, which introduces drugs to attack cancer cells, immunotherapy is designed to work with the body to activate the immune system against cancer. Activating the immune system can help eliminate tumors and also ensure that they do not return.
Side effects from immunotherapy differ from those of chemotherapy and can vary from person to person. It is again important to speak with your healthcare team to understand the benefits and risks of any treatment route.
Learn more about the differences between immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Is immunotherapy right for everyone with kidney cancer?
Immunotherapy is the right option for some patients, and it’s important to talk with your healthcare team to determine if it’s right for you or your loved ones. Ongoing research in immunotherapy aims to bring more options to more patients.
How do healthcare providers decide when immunotherapy might be right?
Your healthcare team will consider your specific cancer type, stage, prior therapies, and overall health to determine if immunotherapy is right for you. Not every patient will benefit from immunotherapy for their cancer, so it’s important to discuss with your provider what options are available to you.
What other questions should I ask my care team about immunotherapy?
There are several questions you may have for your care team about your treatment that can help you feel empowered and informed to make the right decisions:
What gives doctors and researchers hope about the future of kidney cancer treatment?
Ongoing research focuses on improving survival, especially among more advanced patients, and on developing new therapeutic approaches.
The ongoing work is not only growing the list of treatment options for patients, but is grounded in patient voices that are shaping research. The future of kidney cancer treatment aims to give every patient more hope and more time.
