Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy drugs such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors destroy RCC cells by cutting off their blood supply, Ornstein says. Other types stop the cancer from growing by targeting specific proteins.
“Targeted therapies might be useful when more urgent control of the tumor is needed,” says Dr. Braun, while immunotherapy is used for longer periods when there is less urgency.
Targeted therapy options for RCC include:
- axitinib (Inlyta)
- belzutifan (Welireg)
- bevacizumab (Avastin)
- cabozantinib (Cabometyx)
- everolimus (Afinitor)
- lenvatinib (Lenvima)
- pazopanib (Votrient)
- sorafenib (Nexavar)
- sunitinib (Sutent)
- temsirolimus (Torisel)
- tivozanib (Fotivda)
You’ll take most targeted therapies as a pill, but temsirolimus is given through an IV.
Side effects of these medications vary, but may include:
- Nausea
- Poor appetite
- Diarrhea
- Skin or hair color changes
- Hand-foot syndrome, a skin reaction that causes redness, swelling, numbness, or blistering of the hands and feet
- High blood pressure
- Pain in your joints or muscles
- Headaches
- Mouth sores
- Higher risk of infection
- Fluid buildup
- Fatigue and weakness
- Anemia
One type of targeted therapy called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibitors can increase your risk of heart problems, cause kidney issues, and slow wound healing, says Jack Melson, MD, a medical oncologist at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center in Richmond, Virginia.
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