High Circulating Vitamin D Levels Don’t Reduce Risk of Less Common Cancers 07/12/2010
High levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream do not appear to reduce the risk of seven less common cancers: endometrial, esophageal, stomach, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In fact, there was a suggestion that people with the highest vitamin D levels may have an increased risk of pancreatic ...

Optimal Outcomes with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitors Require Appropriate Hypertension Assessment, Monitoring, and Management 05/27/2010
An expert panel provided consensus recommendations for appropriate prevention, surveillance and treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) in patients treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway inhibitors. These recommendations were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.[1] Researchers continue to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies, such ...

Chronic Hepatitis C Infection May Increase Risk for Developing Renal Cell Carcinoma 04/22/2010
Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus may increase the risk of renal cell cancer (RCC), according to results published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.[1] The kidneys are filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood; this process removes waste and makes urine. ...

Radiofrequency Ablation Effective For Small Kidney Cancers 03/12/2010
Radiofrequency ablation appears to be an effective treatment for patients with small kidney cancers. These results were presented at the 2010 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood; this process removes waste and makes urine. Renal ...

Cryoablation Effective for Renal Cancer 03/04/2010
Stereotactic percutaneous cryoablation and laparoscopic renal cryoablation are effective treatments for selected patients with kidney cancer, according to the results of two studies published in the Journal of Urology.1,2 The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood; this process ...

Some Chinese Herbs May Increase Risk of Urinary Tract Cancer 02/18/2010
The use of Chinese herbal products that contain aristolochic acid is associated with an increased risk of urinary tract cancer, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.[1] Previous research has indicated that Chinese herbal products ...

Votrient Improves Progression-free Survival in Advanced Kidney Cancer 01/27/2010
Compared with a placebo, treatment with the oral, targeted drug Votrient® (pazopanib) delays progression of advanced kidney cancer. The results of this Phase III clinical trial were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The kidneys are filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood; ...

Sterotactic Radiosurgery Alone Is Preferred Treatment for Newly Diagnosed Brain Metastases 12/09/2009
Patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases who undergo sterotactic radiosurgery plus whole-brain radiation therapy experience significant memory loss; therefore, stereotactic radiosurgery alone is the preferred method of treatment for these patients, according to the results of a study published in the Lancet Oncology.[1] For decades, whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) has ...

FDA Approves Votrient for Kidney Cancer 12/04/2009
The FDA has approved Votrient™ (pazopanib) for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). The kidneys are filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood; this process removes waste and makes urine. Renal cell cancer (RCC) is a malignancy involving these tubules of the kidney. RCC is ...

Excess Body Weight Linked with More Than 100,000 New Cancer Diagnoses Each Year in U.S. 11/09/2009
According to estimates from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), excess body weight may be responsible for more than 100,000 new cancer diagnoses each year in the United States. Excess body weight is increasingly recognized as a risk factor not only for cancer development but also for worse outcomes after ...

Addition of Low-dose Interferon Alfa to Nexavar© Does Not Improve Kidney Cancer Outcomes 11/03/2009
In a Phase II clinical trial, the combination of low-dose interferon alfa and Nexavar® (sorafenib) did not appear to be any more effective than Nexavar alone for the treatment of metastatic renal cell (kidney) cancer. These results were published in Cancer. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean ...

Broad Range of Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma Benefit from Sutent 09/11/2009
Sutent® (sunitinib) is safe and effective for a broad population of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, according to the results of a trial published in Lancet Oncology.[1] The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood; this process removes waste and makes urine. Renal ...

Avastin® Approved for Kidney Cancer 08/06/2009
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the approval of the targeted therapy Avastin® (bevacizumab) to include treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). The approval for kidney cancer specified that Avastin be used in combination with interferon alfa. The kidneys are filled with tiny tubules that clean ...

Meat, Fat, and Protein Consumption Does Not Increase Risk of Renal Cell Cancer 01/14/2009
Intake of red meat, processed meat, poultry, or seafood is not associated with a risk of renal cell cancer, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.[1]The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that ...

Everolimus Improves Progression-Free Survival in Kidney Cancer 07/28/2008
The investigative agent everolimus (RAD001) significantly prolongs progression-free survival among patients with advanced kidney cancer who have progressed following prior therapies. These results were recently published in an early on-line version of The Lancet.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood; this process ...

Study Confirms Efficacy of Sutent® for Initial Treatment of Metastatic Kidney Cancer 06/04/2008
According to updated results from a Phase III clinical trial, initial treatment of metastatic kidney cancer with Sutent® (sunitinib) results in significantly better response rates and progression-free survival than treatment with interferon alfa. These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology ...

Urologic and Colorectal Cancer Rates Linked in New Study 05/22/2008
Individuals who have been diagnosed with urologic cancers have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, and vice versa, according to data recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. These results may provide potential changes in screening guidelines.Urologic cancers refer to cancers of the kidney (two organs that ...

Updates in the Management of Prostate and Kidney Cancers 05/06/2008
The 2008 annual American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary (ASCO GU) meeting, held in San Francisco, continued the tradition of delivering progressive and thought-provoking data and discussions, with the focus being refinement of optimal care for patients with genitourinary cancers. Results from the meeting focused on prostate cancer, renal ...

Blood Pressure Monitoring Recommended for Kidney Cancer Patients Treated with Nexavar® 02/06/2008
Recent research indicates that patients diagnosed with kidney cancer who are treated with targeted agent Nexavar® (sorafenib) are at an increased risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure).  In order to prevent potential cardiovascular complications, such individuals should have their blood pressure monitored. These results were reported in Lancet ...

Less Extensive Surgery May Benefit Younger Patients with Small Renal Tumors 01/14/2008
Among patients under the age of 65 with small, localized renal tumors, radical nephrectomy may result in worse overall survival than partial nephrectomy. These results were published in The Journal of Urology.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste ...

Avastin® Improves Progression-free Survival in Metastatic Kidney Cancer 01/02/2008
According to the results of a Phase III clinical trial published in The Lancet, the combination of Avastin® (bevacizumab) with interferon results in significantly better progression-free survival than interferon alone in the initial treatment of metastatic kidney cancer. These results were previously presented at the 2007 annual meeting of ...

Nexavar® plus Interferon Effective in Metastatic Kidney Cancer 11/19/2007
According to an article recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the agent Nexavar® (sorafenib) plus interferon alfa-2b appears to have substantial anticancer activity in the treatment of advanced kidney cancer.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste ...

Axitinib Provides Activity in Kidney Cancer 10/24/2007
According to results recently published in The Lancet, the agent axitinib provides anticancer activity in patients with renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and makes urine. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) ...

Targeted Therapy and Renal Cell Carcinoma: Are We Making Progress? 10/12/2007
IntroductionThe incident of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rising throughout the world. An estimated 51,190 individuals (31,590 men and 19,600 women) will be diagnosed with this disease and 12,890 individuals will die of it in 2007.[1] Although surgery is a potential cure ...

Drinking More Coffee and Tea May Decrease Risk of Kidney Cancer 08/08/2007
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, increased intake of coffee and tea appears to decrease the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and makes urine. Renal ...

Torisel™ Added to Standard Treatment Guidelines for Kidney Cancer 08/07/2007
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has added Torisel™ (temsirolimus) to the accepted standard practice for the treatment of kidney cancer. The NCCN has established Torisel as initial treatment for patients with poor-prognosis kidney cancer, as well as for treatment of recurrent kidney cancer.The kidneys are each filled with ...

Radiofrequency Ablation Effective in Small Kidney Cancers 08/06/2007
According to an article published in the Journal of Roentgenology, radiofrequency ablation appears to be an effective treatment option for small kidney cancers.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and makes urine. Renal cell cancer (RCC) is a ...

Siblings of Kidney Cancer Patients at Increased Risk for the Disease 07/10/2007
According to an article recently published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a family history of kidney cancer increases risk of developing the disease, particularly among individuals who have a sibling diagnosed with kidney cancer.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process ...

Addition of Gliadel® Wafer to Surgery and Radiation Effective for Brain Metastasis 06/22/2007
According to an article in Clinical Cancer Research, the addition of Gliadel® Wafer (carmustine polymer wafer) to surgery plus external beam radiotherapy for the treatment of a single brain metastasis is a safe and effective regimen for patients.Several different types of cancers spread, or metastasize, to the brain. This ...

Avastin® Improves Survival in Kidney Cancer 06/14/2007
According to results presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), addition of Avastin® (bevacizumab) to interferon improves progression-free survival when used as initial therapy among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter ...

FDA Approves Torisel™ For Kidney Cancer 06/01/2007
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the mTOR inhibitor ToriselTM (temsirolimus) for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and makes urine. Renal cell cancer (RCC) is a malignancy ...

Sutent® Improves Progression-free Survival over Interferon in Kidney Cancer 01/11/2007
According to an article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Sutent® (sunitinib malate) improves anticancer responses and progression-free survival over interferon in the treatment of metastatic kidney cancer.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and ...

Nexavar® Improves Progression-free Survival in Advanced Kidney Cancer 01/11/2007
According to an article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the targeted agent Nexavar® (sorafenib) improves progression-free survival among patients with kidney cancer who have stopped responding to prior therapies.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes ...

Revlimid® Has Activity in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma 11/20/2006
According to an article recently published in the journal Cancer, Revlimid® (lenalidomide) provides anticancer activity in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and makes urine. Renal cell cancer (RCC) is a ...

Preoperative Chemotherapy for Wilms' Tumor Recommended 10/17/2006
According to an article recently published in the European Journal of Cancer, chemotherapy prior to surgery allows children with Wilms' tumor to skip treatment with radiation and the chemotherapy agent Adriamycin® (doxorubicin), which are each associated with long-term side effects. Wilms' tumor is a rare childhood cancer of the kidney that ...

Updated Results Confirm Survival Benefit of Nexavar® in Renal Cell Carcinoma 10/06/2006
According to results recently presented at the 2006 Kidney Cancer Symposium in Chicago, Illinois, Nexavar® (sorafenib) significantly improves progression-free and overall survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and makes urine. Renal ...

Consumption of Fatty Fish May Reduce Risk of Kidney Cancer 09/20/2006
According to an article recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, consumption of fatty fish may help reduce the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and makes urine. ...

Radical Nephrectomy Increases Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease 09/06/2006
In patients undergoing surgery for the treatment of small kidney tumors, radical nephrectomy is linked with a higher risk of chronic kidney disease than partial nephrectomy. These results were published in the journal Lancet Oncology. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process ...

Bone Outcomes Not Improved when Zometa® is Combined with Thalidomide and Interferon-y 07/31/2006
Among patients with kidney cancer that has spread to the bone, the addition of thalidomide and interferon-y to treatment with Zometa® (zoledronic acid) did not appear to improve bone outcomes. These results were published in the journal Cancer. Many patients with kidney cancer experience bone metastases, or spread of cancer ...

Protein Linked with Kidney Cancer Prognosis 07/05/2006
According to a study published in the journal Lancet Oncology, higher tumor levels of a protein known as IMP3 are linked with worse survival and an increased risk of metastasis among patients with kidney cancer. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process ...

Nexavar® Improves Patient Outcomes Without Compromising Quality of Life 06/14/2006
Treatment of advanced kidney cancer with the targeted therapy Nexavar® (sorafenib) improves certain symptoms and does not adversely affect quality of life. These results were presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Nexavar belongs to a group of drugs called targeted agents. Results ...

Study Continues to Suggest Benefit of Nexavar® in the Treatment of Advanced Kidney Cancer 06/14/2006
Updated results from the phase III clinical trial known as TARGETs (Treatment Approaches in Renal cancer Global Evaluation Trial) continue to suggest that treatment of advanced kidney cancer with Nexavar® (sorafenib) improves survival. These results were presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology ...

New Treatments Improve Outcomes for Metastatic Kidney Cancer 06/05/2006
According to the results of two phase III clinical trials presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the targeted therapies sunitinib and temsirolimus are more effective than interferon-alfa in the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC). The kidneys are each filled ...

High Levels of Survivin Associated with Poorer Survival in Renal Cell Carcinoma 05/25/2006
According to results recently presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA), increased levels of survivin are associated with significantly worse survival among patients with renal cell carcinoma. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spine. The kidneys filter ...

Nexavar® Has Significant Activity in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma 05/15/2006
According to an early online publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the agent Nexavar® (sorafenib) provides significant anticancer activity in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and makes urine. Renal cell ...

High-Volume Hospitals Offer Better Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy and Radical Prostatectomy 05/08/2006
Among patients undergoing radical cystectomy (removal of bladder) or radical prostatectomy (removal of prostate), the probability of dying during hospitalization was lower at hospitals that performed a greater number of these specific procedures (high-volume hospitals). Hospital volume was not linked with in-hospital mortality after radical nephrectomy (removal of kidney). ...

Adhesive Instead of Stitches May Reduce Surgery Complications in Kidney Cancer 05/04/2006
According to an article recently published in the journal Urology, the use of a tissue adhesive (BioGlue) appears to reduce the risk of blood transfusions and lessens blood loss compared to the use of stitches during surgery for kidney cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on ...

Updated Guidelines for Treatment of Advanced Kidney Cancer 03/27/2006
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of 20 leading cancer centers, announced that it has updated its guidelines for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer. Two drugs that were recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been added to the guidelines as treatment options ...

Thalidomide and IL-2 Effective for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma 03/20/2006
According to an article recently published in the journal Cancer, the treatment combination consisting of thalidomide (Thalomid®) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) provides disease control in over half of the patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spine that ...

Sutent® Approved for Kidney Cancer 01/27/2006
The United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has approved the new targeted agent Sutent (sunitinib malate) for treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (the most common type of kidney cancer).  Sutent® will be available for use on February 3, 2006. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that ...

Nexavar® Approved for Treatment of Advanced Kidney Cancer 12/21/2005
According to a press release from Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell (kidney) cancer. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes ...

Sunitinib Promising for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma 11/18/2005
According to results recently presented at the 2005 Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium, the oral agent sunitinib malate (SU11248), still in clinical trials, appears to be a promising new agent for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side of the ...

Impressive Survival After Treatment of Kidney Cancer with Tarceva® and Avastin® 11/04/2005
According to updated results from a phase II clinical trial presented at the 23rd annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium, treatment with the combination of Tarceva® (erlotinib) and Avastin® (bevacizumab) resulted in good survival among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on ...

Predicting Better Survival for Kidney Cancer Patients After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant 10/24/2005
According to a study published in the journal Cancer, three factors predicted better survival among patients with metastatic kidney cancer who had a reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplant; these were better performance status, normal levels of C-reactive protein, and normal levels of lactate dehydrogenase. The kidneys are a pair ...

Wilms' Tumor Prognosis Influenced by Chromosomal Changes 10/14/2005
Among children with favorable-histology Wilms' tumors, those with loss of heterozygosity at chromosomes 16q and 1p appear to have a worse prognosis, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Wilms' tumor is a rare childhood cancer of the kidney that affects roughly 500 children in the ...

Avastin® Plus Tarceva® Provides Impressive Survival in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma 10/07/2005
According to a recent on-line publication of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the treatment combination consisting of two targeted therapeutic agents, Tarceva plus Avastin provides some of the highest levels of anti-cancer activity ever reported in the treatment of advanced kidney cancer. The kidneys are a pair of ...

Gene Expression of Kidney Cancers May Aid in Diagnosis 08/29/2005
The gene expression patterns of kidney cancers distinguish different types of cancers and identify cancers that have spread beyond the kidney, according to a study published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spine. The kidneys filter ...

Radiofrequency Ablation Can Effectively Treat Patients with Small Cancers of the Kidney 07/28/2005
A recent article in The Journal of Urology provides additional evidence that radio frequency ablation (RFA) produces short-term benefits for patients with small renal tumors who are unable to undergo surgery. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood to remove waste and make ...

Radiofrequency Ablation Promising for Small Renal Tumors 06/28/2005
A recent article in the journal Urology reports that radio frequency ablation (RFA) may produce short-term benefits for patients with small renal tumors. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood to remove waste and make urine. Renal cell cancer is a malignancy involving ...

Sorafenib® May be Available for Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma 06/14/2005
A recent report from Onyx pharmaceuticals reveals that the drug Sorafenib will become available through clinical trials for patients diagnosed with advanced renal cell carcinoma, or kidney cancer. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood—the process that removes waste and makes urine. Renal ...

Sorafenib Improves Outcome of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma 05/20/2005
According to a recent presentation at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the drug Sorafenib significantly improves progression-free survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The kidneys are each filled with tiny tubules that clean and filter the blood, removing waste and making urine. ...

Performance Status Indicative of Need for Bone Scan in Kidney Cancer 09/03/2004
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Urology, a patient's performance status (ability to perform daily activities without symptoms) should dictate whether or not they undergo a bone scan when diagnosed with kidney cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side of ...

Tarceva™ Plus Avastin® Highly Active in Advanced Kidney Cancer 06/11/2004
According to results presented at the 40th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the treatment combination consisting of two targeted therapeutic agents, Tarceva™ plus Avastin® provides some of the highest ever reported ...

Thalidomide May Increase Effectiveness of Proleukin® in Advanced Kidney Cancer 05/07/2004
According to a recent article published in the International Journal of Cancer, the addition of thalidomide may increase the effectiveness of Proleukin® (interleukin 2) in patients with renal cell cancer that has stopped responding to prior therapy with Proleukin®. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each ...

Inhaled Interleukin-2 May Control Cancer That Has Spread to Lungs in Patients with Kidney Cancer 05/07/2004
According to a recent article published in the Annals of Oncology, inhaled interleukin-2 may halt disease progression in patients with kidney cancer that has spread to the lungs. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spine. The kidneys filter the blood and eliminate ...

Further Evidence that Radical Nephrectomy Improves Survival in Metastatic Kidney Cancer 05/06/2004
According to a recent article published in The Journal of Urology, a radical nephrectomy, or complete removal of a kidney, plus interferon improves survival compared to interferon alone in the treatment of metastatic kidney cancer.1 The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side of the ...

Vaccine Improves Progression-Free Survival in Kidney Cancer 02/24/2004
According to a recent article published in The Lancet, a vaccine using a patient’s own cancer cells delays time to cancer progression and improves progression-free survival in patients with kidney cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side of the spine. The ...

Immune Therapy Promising for Advanced Renal Cell Cancer 10/15/2003
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, therapy utilizing a donor’s immune cells appears to provide anti-cancer activity in some patients with recurrent or refractory renal cell cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side of the spine. ...

Immune Cells May Improve Survival in Advanced Kidney Cancer 10/06/2003
According to a recent article published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, immune cells of a patient that are stimulated and reproduced through laboratory processes may improve survival in patients with metastatic renal cell (kidney) cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side ...

Radiofrequency Ablation an Effective Alternative to Surgery in Renal Cell Cancer 09/05/2003
According to results presented at the 2003 annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society, radiofrequency ablation may provide an effective treatment alternative to surgery in patients with renal cell cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side of the spine. The kidneys ...

Avastin™ Delays Progression of Metastatic Kidney Cancer 08/07/2003
According to results recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Avastin™ (bevacizumab) delays time to cancer progression in metastatic clear-cell renal carcinoma. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side of the spine. The kidneys filter the blood and eliminate waste in ...

IPM Chemotherapy Produces Responses in Renal Cell Cancer that Stops Responding to Immunotherapy 06/08/2003
According to results recently published in the British Journal of Cancer, the chemotherapy combination consisting of Camptosar®, Platinol® and mitomycin produces anti-cancer responses and provides symptom relief in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma that has stopped responding to immunotherapy. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped ...

Adjuvant Interferon not Effective for Patients with Locally Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma 04/03/2003
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the use of adjuvant interferon alone may not improve long-term outcomes in patients with locally advanced renal cell (kidney) carcinoma. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side of the spine. ...

Increased Response Rates with High-Dose Proleukin® for Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer 11/11/2002
According to results presented at the 17th annual meeting of the society for biological therapy (SBT), high-dose Proleukin® produces a higher rate of anti-cancer responses than low-dose Proleukin® in metastatic renal cell cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side of ...

Proleukin® Appears Superior to Interferon for Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer 10/31/2002
According to proceedings from the 2002 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association, Proleukin® (interleukin-2) following a nephrectomy may improve survival compared to interferon in the treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side of the spine. ...

Combination Chemotherapy, Proleukin® and Surgery Effective for Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer 10/15/2002
According to a recent article published in the journal Cancer, the treatment combination consisting of chemotherapy, Proleukin® and surgery appears to be effective and well tolerated in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located on each side ...

Gemzar® May Have Anti-Cancer Activity in Advanced Renal Cell Cancer 09/03/2002
According to results recently published in The Journal of Urology, the addition of Gemzar® (gemcitabine) to standard therapy may enhance anti-cancer activity in advanced renal cell (kidney) cancer. Further larger clinical trials evaluating Gemzar® in this setting are warranted. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped ...

Genetic Testing Predicts Risk of Relapse in Wilms’ Tumor 08/06/2002
According to a recent article published in The Lancet, a type of genetic testing called comparative expressed sequence hybridization (CESH) appears to accurately predict the risk of a cancer relapse in patient with Wilms’ tumor. Wilms’ tumor is the most common cancer of the kidney in children. It ...

Bevacizumab Delays Cancer Progression in Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer 05/31/2002
According to results recently presented at the 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the monoclonal antibody rhuMab-VEGF (bevacizumab) appears to delay cancer progression in some patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side of ...

Mortality from Some Cancer Surgeries Reduced in Large-Volume Hospitals 04/15/2002
According to a recent article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, death related to surgical procedures (surgical mortality) for some cancers may be significantly reduced if patients receive treatment in hospitals that perform large volumes of the surgical procedure annually. The surgical removal of cancer is ...

FDA Grants CCI-779 “Fast-Track” Status for Renal Cell Cancer 04/10/2002
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted “fast-track” status to CCI-779 for the treatment of renal cell (kidney) cancer that has stopped responding to interleukin-2. A fast-track designation expedites the development and FDA review process for CCI-779 prior to approval. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped ...

Drinking More Fluids May Reduce the Risk for Bladder Cancer in Men 02/25/2002
Cancer of the urinary bladder is the fourth leading type of cancer occurring in men in the United States, but it does occur in women as well. Although the cause of this disease is not completely understood, findings from a recent study indicate that drinking a high volume ...

Novel Agent Appears Promising for Treatment of Some Cancers 02/22/2002
A novel anti-cancer drug, CCI-779, has shown promise in safely producing anti-cancer responses in patients with some types of advanced cancers. (European Society of Medical Oncology, 2000). Many different proteins exist within normal cells, that modulate chemical signals and pathways in order to maintain control of cellular proliferation (multiplication). ...

A Four Drug Combination of Retinoic Acid, Interferon, Interleukin-2 and Chemotherapy was More Effective Than Two or Three Drug Combinations for the Treatment of Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Cance 02/22/2002
Patients with untreated metastatic renal cell cancer have an overall average survival of approximately 10 months. Doctors continue to evaluate new chemotherapy and biological therapy treatment programs with the goal of improving these results. One treatment regimen that has shown promise is the combination of retinoic acid, interferon, interleukin-2 ...

Active Specific Immunotherapy in Patients with Renal Cell Cancer Using Autologous Tumor Derived Heat Shock Protein-Peptide Complex-96 (HSPPC-96) Vaccine 02/22/2002
The treatment options for patients with metastatic renal cell cancer remain limited and unsatisfactory. Treatment with either interleukin-2 and/or interferon is the current treatment of choice with 10-15% of patients responding to treatment and an average survival of less than one year from diagnosis. Active specific immunotherapy using HSPPC-96 ...

Evaluation of Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Antibody C225 Alone in Patients with Renal Cell Cancer Produces Some Responses 02/22/2002
The treatment options for patients with metastatic renal cell cancer remain limited and unsatisfactory. Treatment with either interleukin-2 or interferon with or without chemotherapy is the current standard treatment with objective responses being observed in 10-15% of patients. One promising new target for the treatment is the epidermal growth ...

Surgery is Effective Treatment for Lung Metastasis from Renal Cell Cancer 02/22/2002
The role of surgery in the management of patients with metastatic renal cell cancer to the lung is controversial. Physicians in Germany evaluated the results of surgery in 77 patients with lung metastasis from renal cell cancer and no evidence of cancer elsewhere in the body, including the ...

Immune Responses Detected in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Vaccinated with Pulsed Dendritic Cells 02/22/2002
Vaccines are being developed to treat a variety of cancers. Vaccines consist of antigens and other substances that stimulate the body’s immune system to produce lymphocytes and antibodies that kill cancer cells. Most vaccines are very weak and cannot stimulate the lymphocytes or antibodies to kill large numbers ...

Inhaled Interleukin-2 Therapy is Effective Palliation for Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer in the Lung 02/22/2002
Interleukin-2 is a standard therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. However, patients with advanced metastatic renal cell cancer often cannot or do not want to tolerate the side effects associated with high-dose interleukin-2 treatment. To reduce toxicity and still maintain effectiveness, physicians in Germany developed a method ...

Partial Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Cancer Can Achieve Long-Term Tumor Control 02/22/2002
The most commonly performed surgery to treat renal cell cancer is radical nephrectomy. During a radical nephrectomy, an incision is made through the skin beneath the rib cage (right or left) near the muscles of the back. The whole kidney along with the cancer, the attached adrenal gland, ...

Surgical Resection of Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer can be Curative in Some Patients 02/22/2002
The exact role of surgery for patients with metastatic renal cell cancer has not been defined. However, it is known that resection of a single metastasis from renal cell cancer can result in 5-year survivals of 35-50% in selected patients. Physicians at Memorial Sloan-Kettering analyzed their experience with ...

Randomized Comparison of Interleukin-2, Alfa Interferon or Both for the Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer 02/22/2002
Interleukin-2 is one of the most active anti-cancer agents for the treatment of patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. Interleukin-2 induces remissions in approximately 15% and cures approximately 5% of patients. Alfa interferon is another biologic anti-cancer therapy that produces responses in a similar fraction of patients. In ...

High Dose Interleukin-2 Regimen May Be Superior to Other Regimens for Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer 02/22/2002
Interleukin-2 is the standard treatment for patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. However, after more than a decade of clinical trials designed to find the optimal dose and schedule of interleukin-2, the ideal treatment regimen has yet to be determined. It is also not clear what alfa interferon ...

Long-Term Survival of Patients with Renal Cell Cancer After High-Dose Continuous Infusion of Interleukin-2 02/22/2002
Interleukin-2 is a standard treatment for patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. However, the optimal dose and schedule of interleukin-2 is not known. There is also little information about the long-term outcomes of patients with metastatic renal cell cancer treated with interleukin-2. Physicians at the University of Washington treated ...

Outpatient Interleukin-2-Based Combination Therapy is as Effective as High-Dose Interleukin-2 Treatment for Patients with Kidney Cancer 02/22/2002
Outcomes for patients with metastatic kidney cancer are poor with only 5% achieving long-term control of their cancer. High-dose interleukin-2 therapy with or without alfa interferon has been the standard treatment for many years for patients with metastatic kidney cancer. This treatment usually requires hospitalization and some patients ...

High-Dose Interleukin-2 Benefits Some Patients with Metastatic Kidney Cancer 02/22/2002
Treatment of metastatic kidney cancer remains unsatisfactory. However, the most frequently used treatment for many years has been high doses of interleukin-2. It is important for patients with metastatic kidney cancer to understand the potential benefits and potential toxicities of this form of therapy. It is also important ...

Nephron-Sparing Surgery Effective in Early-Stage Renal Cancer 02/21/2002
Surgery that involves only the removal of cancer while sparing the kidney (nephron-sparing surgery) is just as effective as removal of the entire kidney in patients with early stage kidney cancer, according to a recent article in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped ...

Obesity and Hypertension May Increase the Risk of Kidney Cancer 02/21/2002
The probability of a person developing cancer depends on both genetic and non-genetic factors. A genetic factor is an inherited, unchangeable trait while a non-genetic factor is a variable in a person’s environment, which one can change. Some non-genetic factors play a role in facilitating the process of ...

Regression of Advanced Kidney Cancer Achieved Following Donor Stem Cell Infusions 02/21/2002
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have recently reported a high response rate in patients with advanced kidney (renal) cancer following the delivery of donor stem cells infusions. These results are encouraging since patients with this disease are presently left with very limited treatment options. With ...

Removal of the Kidney May Prolong Survival in Persons with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma 02/21/2002
Persons with renal cell cancer that has spread beyond the area of the kidney are commonly treated with chemotherapy and/or biologic therapy to relieve the symptoms of disease and prolong survival time. Whether or not the surgical removal of the affected kidney might also be of benefit has ...

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Successful Treatment with an Allogeneic Blood Stem Cell Transplant 02/21/2002
Renal cell cancer can often be treated more effectively with biologic therapy than with chemotherapy. Biologic therapies directly facilitate or enhance a patient's immune system to fight the cancer. Biologic agents include interferons, interleukins, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. Another way to utilize the immune system to treat cancer ...

The Combination of Biologic Therapy with Interferon Alfa-2a plus Chemotherapy is more Effective than Chemotherapy Alone for Treatment of Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Cancer 02/21/2002
The treatment of advanced renal cell cancer typically consists of surgical removal of the affected kidney followed by additional treatment with chemotherapy and/or biologic therapy for the purpose of preventing recurrence of the cancer. Small clinical trials have suggested that disappearance of cancer or the response rates for ...

Comparison of Partial Nephrectomy with Radical Nephrectomy in Patients with Localized Renal Cell Cancer 02/21/2002
The most commonly performed surgery to treat renal cell cancer is radical nephrectomy. During a radical nephrectomy, an incision is made through the skin beneath the rib cage (right or left) near the muscles of the back. The whole kidney, along with the cancer, the attached adrenal gland, ...

Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Antibody C225 has Clinical Activity in Patients with Renal Cell Cancer 02/21/2002
The treatment options for patients with metastatic renal cell cancer remain limited and unsatisfactory. Treatment with combined biologic and chemotherapy utilizing either interleukin-2 or interferon is the current standard treatment with objective responses being observed in 10-15% of patients. One promising new target for treatment is the epidermal ...

Biological Therapy May Afford Better Survival Time than Chemotherapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer 02/21/2002
Persons with renal cell cancer that has spread beyond the area of the kidney are commonly treated with chemotherapy or biologic therapy to relieve the symptoms of disease and prolong survival time. Researchers from New York recently reported that the use of biologic therapy with interferon-alfa and/or interleukin-2 ...

More Evidence that Surgery Prior to Interferon Improves Survival in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma 02/20/2002
According to a recent article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, clinical trial evidence suggests that patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may live longer with a combination of surgery (nephrectomy) and interferon versus interferon alone. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located ...

Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy Effective with Fewer Side Effects 02/20/2002
According to a recent article in the journal Cancer, researchers from the Urologic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic propose that laparoscopic radical nephrectomies should become the standard of care for patients with early stage renal cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side ...

Long-Term, Low-Dose Interleukin and Interferon for Advanced Renal Cancer 02/20/2002
According to a recent article published in the journal Cancer, long-term, low-dose interleukin and interferon therapy produces anti-cancer responses with minor side effects in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer. Treatment of RCC depends on the age ...

Radical Nephrectomy Prior to Interferon Improves Survival for Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer 02/20/2002
A radical nephrectomy prior to treatment with interferon appears to significantly delay cancer progression and improve survival over interferon alone for patients with metastatic renal cell cancer, according to a recent article published in The Lancet. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side ...

Thalidomide Produces Responses in Advanced Renal Cell Cancer 02/20/2002
According to a recent article published in the British Journal of Cancer, thalidomide produces anti-cancer responses in patients with advanced renal cell cancer who have stopped responding to standard treatment. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side of the spine. The kidneys filter ...

Long-Term Interferon Effective for Metastatic Kidney Cancer 02/20/2002
The long-term use of interferon is effective for patients with advanced renal cell (kidney) cancer, according to a recent article published in Cancer. The kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs located on each side of the spine. The kidneys filter the blood and eliminate waste in ...

Neovastat Doubles Survival Time for Patients with Advanced Renal Cancer 02/20/2002
According to the results of a recent clinical trial, neovastat may significantly prolong the survival time of patients with advanced renal cell (kidney) cancer that has stopped responding to standard therapies. As a result, future clinical trials will be conducted to further evaluate this novel compound and determine ...

Interferon Does Not Improve Outcomes of Stage II-III Kidney Cancer 02/20/2002
The use of interferon alpha-2b as adjuvant (following surgery) treatment does not appear to improve outcomes for patients with renal cell (kidney) cancer that is confined to the kidney and/or one regional lymph node. In fact, this treatment strategy may actually produce harmful effects in this group of ...