Kidney Cancer Treatment Options

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The following chart lists all FDA approved treatments for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, 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 – click here to connect with other patients dealing with the same diagnosis.

Brand NameGeneric NameHow it worksDrug CompanyFDA approvalMainly used
Yervoy/OpdivoIpilimumab/NivolumabImmunotherapy: Anti-CTLA4 Inhibitor/Anti-PD1 Checkpoint inhibitor
Infusion
Bristol-Myers Squibb2018 approval for first line intermediate and high risk metastatic RCC patients1st line
Cabometyx/Opdivocabozantinib/nivolumabTargeted Therapy + Anti-PD1 ImmunotherapyExilixis/BMS2021 approval for first line treatment of Metastatic RCC1st line
Keytruda/LenvimaPembrolizumab/LenvatinibImmunotherapy + Targeted Therapy Infusion/OralMerck/Eisai2021 approval for first line treatment of metastatic RCC1st line
Keytruda/InlytaPembrolizumab/AxitinibImmunotherapy + Targeted Therapy
Infusion and oral medication
Merck/Pfizer2019 approval for first line therapy of metastatic RCC1st line
Bavencio/InlytaAvelumab/AxitinibImmunotherapy + Targeted Therapy
Oral and Infusion
EMD Serono/Pfizer2019 approval for first line treatment of metastatic RCC1st line
Lenvima/AfinitorLenvatinib/
Everoliumus
Targeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF inhibitor + m-TOR inhibitor
Oral medication
Eisai2016 approval for metastatic RCC patients following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy2nd line
OpdivoNivolumabImmunotherapy: Anti-PD1
Checkpoint-Inhibitor infusion
Bristol-Myers Squibb2015 approval for metastatic RCC patients following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy2nd line
InlytaAxitinibTargeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF inhibitor
Oral medication
Pfizer2012 approval for metastatic RCC after failure of one prior systemic therapy2nd line or 1st line in combination with immunotherapy
FotivdaTivozanibTargeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF inhibitor
Oral medication
AVEO Oncology2021 approval for treatment of relapsed or refractory kidney cancer3rd line
WeliregbelzutifanTargeted Therapy: HIF2a InhibitorMerck2024 approval for treatment following immunotherapy and targeted VEGF treatment3rd line
CabometyxCabozantinibTargeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF and c-MET inhibitor
Oral medication
Exelixis2016 approval for metastatic RCC after prior therapy; 2017 approval for first line metastatic RCC.2nd line; 1st line for patients ineligible for immunotherapy
VotrientPazopanibTargeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF inhibitor
Oral medication
Novartis2012 approval for metastatic RCC2nd line; 1st line for patients ineligible for immunotherapy
SutentSunitinibTargeted Therapy:
Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) or VEGF inhibitor
Oral medication
Pfizer2006 approval for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC); 2017 approval for RCC at high risk of recurrence2nd line; 1st line for patients ineligible for immunotherapy; and as adjuvant treatment.
AfinitorEverolimusTargeted Therapy: mTOR-Inhibitor
Oral medication
Novartis2009 approval for metastatic RCC after failure of treatment with sunitinib or sorafenib2nd or later line, now
primarily in combination with Lenvima
ToriselTemsirolimusTargeted Therapy: mTOR-Inhibitor InfusionPfizer2007 approval for metastatic RCCApproved for poor risk 1st line for select patients; but now rarely used given alternatives
Avastin/ Interferon (IFN)Bevacizumab /Interferon alfaVEGF-Antibody + immunotherapy Infusion/ subcutaneous injectionGenentech2009 approval for metastatic RCC1st line approval, rarely used given limited efficacy and IFN side effects
NexavarSorafenibTargeted Therapy: TKI, VEGF inhibitor
Oral medication
Bayer2005 approval for metastatic RCCLate line
ProleukinAldesleukin (also known as high-dose Interleukin-2 IL-2, HDIL-2)Immunotherapy Inpatient InfusionPrometheus1992 approval for metastatic RCCRemains a treatment option with curative potential in selected patients

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