Current status of cytokine therapy in management of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Cytokine therapy with interferon-α and interleukin-2 has arguably been the standard treatment for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma for more than 20 years. In this paper, the current evidence for the use of cytokine ther-apy in this patient population is discussed, including the significant toxicity associated with these agents. A low overall response rate and a marginal sur-vival advantage are observed with interferon-α and interleukin-2; however, these therapies have significant toxicity and impair quality of life. Unlike the current tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, complete tumour responses may be seen with interleukin-2, but again this therapy has significant morbidity and mortality. Newer anti-angiogenesis agents may be combined with current standard cytokine therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. © 2007 Canadian Urological Association.