Have you been diagnosed with metastatic or advanced kidney cancer? The U.S. FDA has approved 14 therapies for the treatment of metastatic kidney cancer and one adjuvant therapy for high-risk localized kidney cancer following surgery. The following chart lists each kidney cancer treatment, including the brand name, the generic name, how the drug works to fight your cancer and how it is routinely prescribed. Facing high out-of-pocket costs or insurance denials for a treatment? Click on the manufacturer link to learn about access programs. If you’ve been diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer – know your options!
| Brand Name | Generic Name | How it works | Drug Company | FDA approval | Mainly used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yervoy/Opdivo | Ipilimumab/Nivolumab | Immunotherapy: Anti-CTLA4 Inhibitor/Anti-PD1 Checkpoint inhibitor Infusion | Bristol-Myers Squibb | 2018 approval for first line intermediate and high risk metastatic RCC patients | 1st line |
| Keytruda/Inlyta | Pembrolizumab/Axitinib | Immunotherapy + Targeted Therapy Infusion and oral medication | Merck/Pfizer | 2019 approval for first line therapy of metastatic RCC | 1st line |
| Bavencio/Inlyta | Avelumab/Axitinib | Immunotherapy + Targeted Therapy Oral and Infusion | EMD Serono/Pfizer | 2019 approval for first line treatment of metastatic RCC | 1st line |
| Cabometyx | Cabozantinib | Targeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF and c-MET inhibitor Oral medication | Exelixis | 2016 approval for metastatic RCC after prior therapy; 2017 approval for first line metastatic RCC. | 2nd line; 1st line for patients ineligible for immunotherapy |
| Sutent | Sunitinib | Targeted Therapy: Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) or VEGF inhibitor Oral medication | Pfizer | 2006 approval for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC); 2017 approval for RCC at high risk of recurrence | 2nd line; 1st line for patients ineligible for immunotherapy; and as adjuvant treatment. |
| Votrient | Pazopanib | Targeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF inhibitor Oral medication | Novartis | 2012 approval for metastatic RCC | 2nd line; 1st line for patients ineligible for immunotherapy |
| Opdivo | Nivolumab | Immunotherapy: Anti-PD1 Checkpoint-Inhibitor infusion | Bristol-Myers Squibb | 2015 approval for metastatic RCC patients following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy | 2nd line |
| Lenvima/Afinitor | Lenvatinib/ Everoliumus | Targeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF inhibitor + m-TOR inhibitor Oral medication | Eisai | 2016 approval for metastatic RCC patients following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy | 2nd line |
| Inlyta | Axitinib | Targeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF inhibitor Oral medication | Pfizer | 2012 approval for metastatic RCC after failure of one prior systemic therapy | 2nd line or 1st line in combination with immunotherapy |
| Proleukin | Aldesleukin (also known as high-dose Interleukin-2 IL-2, HDIL-2) | Immunotherapy Inpatient Infusion | Prometheus | 1992 approval for metastatic RCC | Remains a treatment option with curative potential in selected patients |
| Avastin/ Interferon (IFN) | Bevacizumab /Interferon alfa | VEGF-Antibody + immunotherapy Infusion/ subcutaneous injection | Genentech | 2009 approval for metastatic RCC | 1st line approval, rarely used given limited efficacy and IFN side effects |
| Nexavar | Sorafenib | Targeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF inhibitor Oral medication | Bayer | 2005 approval for metastatic RCC | Late line |
| Afinitor | Everolimus | Targeted Therapy: mTOR-Inhibitor Oral medication | Novartis | 2009 approval for metastatic RCC after failure of treatment with sunitinib or sorafenib | 2nd or later line, now primarily in combination with Lenvima |
| Torisel | Temsirolimus | Targeted Therapy: mTOR-Inhibitor Infusion | Pfizer | 2007 approval for metastatic RCC | Approved for poor risk 1st line for select patients; but now rarely used given alternatives |