Kidney Cancer Study

July 5, 2004According to the American Cancer Society, there will be nearly 36,000 new cases of kidney cancer in 2004. While cancers of the kidneys are not as common as cancers elsewhere in the body, they can often progress undetected until a late stage. Kidney cancers will account for more than 12,000 deaths this year.

July 5, 2004 -- Renal cell carcinoma is the most common kidney cancer, accounting for 90% of cases of cancer to the kidneys. As with all cancers, renal cell cancer occurs when kidney cells grow abnormally in shape and speed. Cancerous cells clump into tumors, which can compress, invade, and destroy the normal tissue surrounding them. If the kidney cells become sufficiently damaged, the patient may experience symptoms of a malfunctioning kidney, which might include blood in the urine, localized pain, fatigue, weight loss, swelling of ankles and legs, and feverish symptoms.

For about half of those diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, the tumor will not yet have grown beyond the kidney tissue. For another 25%, cancerous cells might be found in tissues immediately surrounding the kidney, and in the remaining 25%, the cancer is not diagnosed until it has already metastasized, spreading to other organs and tissues.

The Global ARCC Trial is seeking patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma for participation in a research study. The purpose of the Global ARCC Trial is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the investigational medication temsirolimus for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.

Temsirolimus is a chemotherapy agent that may inhibit cell growth. The Global ARCC Trial will assess the effectiveness of therapy with temsirolimus given alone or in combination with interferon alfa versus interferon alfa alone.

Current Treatments for Renal Cell Carcinoma
In many cases, doctors will recommend nephrectomy, which is surgery to remove all or part of the affected kidney. Fortunately, people can normally survive and function well with only one kidney.

Nephrectomy is the preferred treatment for those with renal cell cancer in early stages, where cancer cells have not yet spread. Other treatments for cancers might include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and others.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation over small or large regions of the body to kill cancer cells. Side effects of radiation are common since normal tissue can also be affected by radiation.

Chemotherapythe use of anticancer medicationsis common in other forms of cancer, but unfortunately cancerous renal cells seem particularly resistant to most of the common anticancer medications. As with radiation therapy, chemotherapy may affect other tissues and organs, particularly those that require rapid cell growth such as hair and stomach lining cells, which can bring about a variety of side effects.

Immunotherapy agents, such as interleukin-2 and interferon alfa, are proteins normally produced in the human body in small amounts. These substances have been shown to reduce tumor size, and may have longer-lasting effects. Combinations of chemotherapy and immunotherapy have shown promise in initial research.

Even with these variety of treatments available, renal cell cancer, like other cancers, may continue to grow and spread, or return after a remission. For many cancer patients seeking treatment, participation in clinical research is another option, especially, but not only, if they have not responded to available treatments. Clinical trials are the research studies conducted on potential new medications in order to prove their effectiveness and safety. All medications must be tested in clinical trials before they are available for prescription by a physician. Regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, review the results of clinical trials, and if the medication is proven safe and effective, permission is given for it to be prescribed.

The Global ARCC Trial is seeking patients with renal cell carcinoma in an advanced stage (stage IV, metastatic, or recurrent) who have received no prior chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Potential patients will also have to meet other criteria, not all patients with renal cell cancer will qualify.

Participation in the study involves one office visit every week for a period to be determined by the patients response to the treatment. Those who qualify and participate will receive study-related medical exams, lab tests, and study medication. Patients, their families, and others interested in learning more about the study can call 1-800-STUDY-96 (1-800-788-3996) or visit www.RenalCellCancerTrial.com.
###