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Review
. 2019 May;31(3):194-199.
doi: 10.1097/CCO.0000000000000512.

The tumor microenvironment in renal cell cancer

James W Mier  1
Affiliations
Review

The tumor microenvironment in renal cell cancer

James W Mier. Curr Opin Oncol. 2019 May.

Abstract

Purpose of review: In addition to the provision of nutrients and growth factors that facilitate tumor cell proliferation and metastasis, the tumor microenvironment (MEV) restricts immune surveillance of tumor-associated antigens and limits the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor vaccines, and other immune therapies. This review will focus on the immunosuppressive mechanisms operative within the tumor MVE of renal cell carcinoma.

Recent findings: Several of the immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor MEV have been identified and are potentially druggable. Clinical trials with agents that target several of these inhibitory pathways are currently underway.

Summary: Although renal cell carcinoma is one of several tumor types responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors, the effectiveness of these agents is likely to be limited by the various tumor-infiltrating bone marrow-derived myeloid cells that comprise the MEV. Several strategies to combat the recruitment of these cells into tumor tissue or to neutralize their immunosuppressive function have shown encouraging results in animal tumor models and clinical trials.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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