[Systemic therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma].

A better understanding of molecular biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis or, respectively, prognosis of renal cell carcinoma has recently led to a fundamental change in those therapeutic options that are especially effective after systemic disemination. In this context, cytokine-based therapeutic concepts have been replaced by the so-called targeted therapeutic agents that include, above all, tyrosine kinase (TK) and mTOR inhibitors. The present contribution is intended to reflect the current state of the art in the systemic therapy for renal cell carcinoma in first- and second-line use. In addition, the increasing relevance of sequential therapy under consideration of possible side effects is discussed.