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). 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.

Research recently presented at the 43rd annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago suggests that there is new drug that may be effective in prolonging survival in kidney cancer, albeit not curing the disease. It is a synthetic antibody that is designed to stop the growth of cancer by targeting a natural protein that acts as a stimulant for creating of new blood vessels. Its proper name is bevacizumab but it marketed under the brand name Avastin.

Researchers presented evidence suggesting that patients treated with both interferon and Avastin had a doubling of their survival without disease progression (i.e. progression-free survival). It also appeared that it was as tolerated and as safe as taking interferon alone. Although these results needs to be confirmed, published in a peer-review journal, and additional research needs to be done on the long term toxicity, this is nonetheless exciting news.

In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Avastin for use in for advanced colorectal cancer. It is typically used in combination with standard chemotherapy and given through a vein in the arm every two weeks. It is considered relatively safe - the main side effects are high blood pressure and an increase risk of bleeding. In addition to colon and kidney cancers, it is being actively studied for the treatment of cancers involving the ovaries, lungs, and breasts.

• What Should I Know About Kidney Cancer?
• What Are the Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer?