Immunochemotherapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Immunochemotherapy consisting of IL-2, INF-A, and VBL and 5FU is regarded as the treatment of choice in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. During the period 1996-2000, we evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of this immunochemotherapy, combined with an aggressive surgical approach: nephrectomy before treatment and resection of residual disease. The 3-year survival rate for the entire group and complete responder patients was 30% and 88%, respectively. The side effects were usually moderate and consisted mainly of a flu-like syndrome, headache, nausea, vomiting and depression. Most importantly, there was no drug-related death. Good performance status, absence of bone metastases and prior nephrectomy were associated with higher response rates.

Capecitabine is a novel fluoropyrimidine carbamate, orally administered and selectively activated to Fluorouracil by a sequential triple-enzyme pathway in liver and tumor cells. Capecitabine at dose of 2,500mg/m2/d divided equally into two daily doses for 14 days in patients who failed to respond to "standard" immunotherapy achieved a 30% objective response. Toxicity consisted of hand-foot syndrome.

Aim of Study:

To evaluate efficacy and toxicity of the combination of IL-2, INF-A, VBL and Capecitabine in MRCC