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Immunotherapy uses the power of your immune system to fight your cancer. One type of immunotherapy is called an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Your immune system has built-in checkpoints that help it find invaders to attack, like bacteria or tumors. Cancer cells can trick these checkpoints by sending false signals. This disguises tumors so they appear harmless. As a result, immune cells called T cells don’t attack the tumors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block cancer’s false signals. This frees up your immune system to attack.
Kidney Cancer Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
How Immunotherapy is Used for Kidney Cancer Treatment
Your care team at Fred Hutch Cancer Center may recommend immune checkpoint inhibitors if your kidney cancer has certain features. Your team will test your cancer cells for these features so we can make a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors may be helpful:
- Before surgery to shrink your tumor or keep it from spreading or coming back
- If surgeons cannot remove your tumor
- If kidney cancer has spread to other parts of your body (advanced or metastatic disease)
- If kidney cancer has come back after treatment
Immunotherapies Used for Kidney Cancer Treatment
The main immunotherapy medicines used in kidney cancer are checkpoint inhibitors and interleukin-2.
Checkpoint Inhibitors
Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy has led to impressive immune responses, even with cancers that were difficult to treat until now. These U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medicines for kidney cancer include:
- Avelumab (Bavencio)
- Ipilimumab (Yervoy)
- Nivolumab (Opdivo)
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda)
More options are being tested in research studies. Fred Hutch has clinical trials that use checkpoint inhibitors to treat kidney cancer.
Interleukin-2
Interleukin-2, or IL-2 (Proleukin) is a growth factor for two types of white blood cells that may have strong anti-tumor effects. Some people with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (5%-7%) can have long-lasting complete remission after IL-2 therapy. However, high dose IL-2 is linked with severe side effects and is not right for everyone. If you are interested in IL-2, look for a cancer center, like Fred Hutch, that is familiar with this type of therapy.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Immunotherapy for Kidney Cancer
Medical oncologists at Fred Hutch are experts in all forms of medicine to treat cancer, including the latest targeted therapies. They know how to choose and combine drug options to match your needs. Besides standard therapies, we often have clinical trials testing new drugs or new combinations for kidney cancer. We are able to offer therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Your medical oncologist partners with the rest of your Fred Hutch care team. They work closely with your surgical oncologist and pathologist. They design a treatment plan for you to target your tumor and have the least impact on healthy tissue. Your medical oncologist also works closely with you to manage any side effects from medicine-based treatments. Your whole team helps you take the best possible care of yourself.
Common side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors include:
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea or constipation
- Skin rash or itching
- Joint pain
- Change in hormone levels
If your Fred Hutch care team recommends immunotherapy, we’ll explain what to expect based on the medicine you’re getting and how to manage these side effects.
Your care team at Fred Hutch is here to help you prevent or prepare for side effects and to relieve any side effects you have. The most important step you can take is to speak up and let your team know what you’re feeling. We’ve helped many patients and families through this process and know ways to ease your experience. The Fred Hutch Patient Education team has video resources that go over how to keep common side effects at bay.
Often, there are medicines to help, like anti-nausea drugs. Based on the side effect, there may be a range of other helpful options too, like diet changes, physical therapy and emotional and practical support. We also offer integrative medicine, including acupuncture.