Are Two Drugs Better Than One For Kidney Cancer?

Brian Lipps, M.D.,

Researchers from the Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center recently published an article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggesting that combining interferon alpha and Nexavar® (Sorafenib) was more effective than using either drugs alone in patients with advanced kidney cancer. In the past, individual use of interferon alpha and Nexavar® has only led to temporary responses – most cancers began growing within six months. The researchers found that by combining the two drugs, there was a better than expected response – they even reported some cures. As expected, most of the side effects with the treatment had to do with the interferon. So, although these results are preliminary and need to be repeated with larger and more rigorous studies, they are encouraging.

Over 40,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year - the most common type is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Because it often remains clinical silent until late in the disease process, it can be quite advanced by the time it is diagnosed.

Advanced kidney cancer usually does not respond well to chemotherapy and thus has a very poor prognosis. Until recently, the drug options have been limited to the use of natural hormones that stimulates the body’s immune system (e.g. interferon and interleukin-2). Interferon alpha activates the body’s immune system in order to help fight off infections and cancers. It has been used for years but will relatively modest results. New medications designed to attack this cancer on the molecular level (e.g. Nexavar and Sutent) were recently shown to be effective in slowing down the cancer but not necessarily prolonging survival. Nexavar® attempts to block the creation of blood supply to the cancer in the attempt to limits its growth.

source:about.com