JENKINTOWN, Pa., Aug. 3 -- Temsirolimus (Torisel) and the combination of bevacizumab (Avastin) plus interferon are now first-line treatment options for relapsed or unresectable stage IV kidney cancer.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) kidney cancer panel expanded its practice guidelines to include temsirolimus as a first-line option for predominant clear cell histology and non-clear cell histology. The bevacizumab-interferon combination was designated as a first-line therapeutic option for predominant clear cell histology.
The temsirolimus move came, in part, in response to the FDA's recent approval of the agent for treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Additionally, the panel was persuaded by "the safety and effectiveness of temsirolimus shown from the results of a large, multicenter, randomized clinical trial of 626 patients. The study showed that temsirolimus prolonged median overall survival."
The panel also designated temsirolimus as an option for subsequent therapy (second line and beyond) for patients with predominant clear cell histology.
