New Kidney Cancer Treatments: Latest Advances and How to Access Them?

Kidney cancer, also called renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is one of the most aggressive types of genitourinary cancers. It accounts for more than 80% of all kidney cancer diagnoses. Kidney cancer starts in the lining of the kidney’s tubules and, if not treated timely, can progress to other areas of the body, becoming metastatic RCC. The three major subtypes are:

• clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)
• papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC)
• chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC)

Fortunately, recent advancements in treatment, such as targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and combination therapies, have significantly improved outcomes for patients.

Standard Treatments for Kidney Cancer:

Before exploring new treatments, it’s necessary to understand existing standard options. After the diagnosis of kidney cancer, doctors determine the extent of the disease using various imaging and diagnostic tests. Based on the findings, one or more of the following treatment strategies may be used:

• Surgery – Partial or complete removal of the kidney
• Radiation Therapy – High-energy rays to destroy unhealthy (cancerous) cells
• Chemotherapy – Medicines that kill or inhibit the growth of cancer
• Immunotherapy – Boosts the body’s immune system to combat cancer
• Targeted Therapy – Blocks specific molecules that help in the progression of cancer

Newly Approved Medicines for Kidney Cancer:
Here are some of the most recent and promising new medicines for kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma):

Cabometyx (cabozantinib):

Cabometyx is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) used in the treatment of advanced kidney cancer. It is especially approved for patients who have been treated with prior anti-angiogenic therapy. It is approved in the USA, EU, Canada, and Australia and has demonstrated strong clinical benefits in delaying disease progression.

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) + Inlyta (axitinib):

This therapeutic drug is a combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy. It is FDA-approved for first-line treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic kidney cancer. It improves overall survival and slows down the progression of the disease.

Bavencio (avelumab) + Inlyta (axitinib):

This is another combination therapy. It targets both the immune response and blood vessel growth in tumors. It is approved in Europe and New Zealand. It’s been praised for enhancing treatment response in advanced kidney cancer.

Other Newly Approved Kidney Cancer Medicines:

In addition to the above therapies, here are some more newly approved medicines for Kidney Cancer/RCC:

• Lenvima (lenvatinib) + Keytruda (pembrolizumab) – This promising combination medicine is now approved as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced Kidney cancer. Lenvima (a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor) works by blocking tumor blood vessel development, while Keytruda (an immunotherapy drug) increases the body’s immune response against cancer cells.
• Opdivo (nivolumab) + Yervoy (ipilimumab) – This dual immunotherapy is effective for patients with intermediate- or poor-risk advanced Kidney Cancer. Opdivo inhibits the PD-1 pathway and reactivates immune cells to attack cancer. Yervoy targets CTLA-4, another checkpoint protein, further boosting immune activity. Together, both have shown durable response rates and survival benefits in challenging kidney cancer cases.
• Fotivda (tivozanib) – Fotivda is a next-generation VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). It is approved for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory kidney cancer. It works by cutting off the blood supply that tumors need to progress. It is beneficial for those who have already undergone multiple treatments and need a well-tolerated oral treatment. Its once-daily dosing and favorable toxicity profile make it a promising therapeutic option in long-term disease management.
• Welireg (belzutifan) – It is a first-in-class HIF-2α inhibitor widely used for adults with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-associated kidney cancer. It specifically targets the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway.
• Torisel (temsirolimus) – Torisel is an intravenous mTOR inhibitor. It is used primarily for treating poor-prognosis metastatic kidney cancer. It works by blocking a pathway that is involved in cell growth and proliferation.
• Afinitor (everolimus) – Afinitor is an oral mTOR inhibitor. It is prescribed for patients who have progressed after VEGF-targeted therapy. It slows down the growth of unhealthy cells and reproduction by targeting the mTOR pathway. This medicine is often used as a second- or third-line option.
• Nexavar (sorafenib) – Nexavar is one of the first targeted therapies developed for advanced Kidney Cancer. It blocks multiple kinases that help promote tumor progression and angiogenesis (blood vessel formation).

These therapies significantly offer new hope and therapeutic options for patients who may not respond to older treatments.

Accessing New Kidney Cancer Treatments in India and Other Countries:

Patients living in countries where these therapeutic drugs are not yet approved may face challenges in accessing treatment. However, through Named Patient Programs and global sourcing channels, access to these medicines is possible.
Indian Pharma Network (IPN) specializes in helping patients access newly approved and hard-to-access medicines in a legal, safe, and timely manner. With a valid prescription from your treating doctor, we can guide you through the process of sourcing Nexavar, Afinitor, Torisel, Fotivda, and other essential kidney cancer medicines in India and other countries.

Why Choose Indian Pharma Network?

• Authorized Global Pharmaceutical Wholesaler
• Over 150 Countries Served
• WHO-GMP, US FDA, UK MHRA, and EU-GMP Certified Sourcing
  Safe Delivery of Temperature-Sensitive Products through Cold Chain Shipments

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with kidney cancer and your treatment requires immediate access to a newly approved medicine that is not yet approved where you live, Indian Pharma Network is here to help. Contact us to explore your kidney cancer treatment options today.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your treating physician before beginning any new therapeutic drug or treatment plan.