Article Details - Overview
Oncology Briefings Vol. 6, No. 7
A Summary of Selected Presentations From the Seventh International Kidney Cancer Symposium
September 26-27, 2008; Chicago, IL
Release Date: November 17, 2008
Expiration Date: November 17, 2009
Publication Overview
Authors
Medical writer:
Aarati Ranganathan, PhD; Reviewed by:
Ronald Bukowski, MD
Overview and Purpose
In 2008, an estimated 54,390 new cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are expected to be diagnosed in the United States, with approximately 13,000 resultant deaths. Nearly 40% of these patients will be diagnosed at an advanced disease stage or will progress to metastatic disease. The insertion of targeted agents into the therapeutic arena has replaced standard cytokine therapy in advanced RCC, with inhibitors of growth factor signaling pathways, such as antiangiogenic agents, that have significantly enhanced clinical benefit compared to cytokines. Two small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) and 1 inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC, and several other agents are undergoing clinical development. As the number of available targeted therapies grows, the challenge in treating advanced RCC is devising effective strategies for patients with pretreated disease that had failed VEGF/VEGFR- and/or mTOR-targeted therapies. Several ongoing trials focus on this issue.
The purpose of this activity is to update physicians on recent data on targeted agents in chemotherapy-naive and previously treated patients with advanced RCC, with an emphasis on the efficacy and safety of sequencing targeted agents in subsequent lines of therapy.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for medical oncologists involved in the care of patients with renal cell carcinoma. No specific skills or knowledge other than a basic training in oncology is required for successful participation in this activity.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, you should be able to:
- Assess the efficacy of agents targeting the VEGF pathway in the treatment of metastatic RCC
- Describe the adverse event profiles of mTOR inhibitors used in the treatment of RCC
- Evaluate the impact of mTOR inhibitors on patients with previously treated metastatic RCC
Instructions for Participation
- Read the following information before entering the educational activity.
- Complete the Pretest.
- Study the educational activity.
- Complete the CME test.
- Answer the evaluation questions.
- After successful completion of the CME test and evaluation, you will receive your certificate of credit online.
CME credit will be granted for only 1 form of participation, either online or via the printed publication.
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