Emerging oral VEGF inhibitors for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has increased in recent years and, unfortunately, many patients initially present with metastatic disease. When surgery is not an option, treatment involves administration of targeted therapies. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway has been identified as an important mediator for the development of RCC. Numerous agents target VEGF-mediated signaling, yet resistance and progressive disease still persists. Novel small molecule VEGF inhibitors with high affinity for the VEGF receptor (VEGFR) have been discovered and are currently under investigation for the management of RCC.

Areas covered: The VEGFR pathway, its aberrant signaling, and the agents under development that inhibit VEGFR signaling are discussed. The mechanism(s), pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and toxicity of these investigational agents are also reviewed.

Expert opinion: Management of metastatic RCC involves combination immunotherapy or administration of oral VEGFR inhibitors and largely depends on risk stratification. Emerging and investigational oral VEGFR inhibitors, given as monotherapy or in combination with immunotherapy, could augment current treatment approaches and may mitigate toxicities associated with VEGFR inhibition.

KEYWORDS:

• Renal cell carcinoma
• vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors
• investigational drugs
• targeted therapy

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.