Dr. George Discusses Next Steps in RCC

Daniel J. George, MD, professor of Medicine and Surgery, member, Duke Cancer Institute, discusses next steps for research in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

In the next 5 years or so, as more emphasis is placed on treating patients in the adjuvant setting, the rate of cure may increase, explains George. Additionally, greater focus has to be dedicated to exploring curative approaches for patients with oligometastatic disease, and to understanding how definitive approaches and immunotherapeutic strategies can be incorporated into that setting. For patients with intermediate- and high-risk disease, achieving a complete response will become the focus of treatment as well as determining the appropriate sequence of therapy that will delay disease progression. These are all important questions that need to be addressed, says George.

In addition, more focus needs to be paid to patients with less common cancers such as nonclear cell cancers. In that setting, physicians need to understand when MET is the standard for papillary cancers, and if it is, how immunotherapy can be incorporated into treatment. Moreover, what distinguishes nonclear cancers from clear cell cancers besides MET?

There are other immunologic targets in RCC that should be adopted in the frontline setting as that is where the greatest effects will happen, George concludes.