Immunological Effects of Multikinase Inhibitors for Kidney Cancer: A Clue for Integration with Cellular Therapies?

Camillo Porta^{1,2 ✉}, Chiara Paglino^1,2, Ilaria Imarisio^1,2, Carlo Ganini¹, Paolo Pedrazzoli¹

1. Oncologia Medica, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
2. Gruppo Italiano di Oncologia Nefrologica - G.I.O.N. (Italian Nephro-Oncology Group).

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Citation:
Porta C, Paglino C, Imarisio I, Ganini C, Pedrazzoli P. Immunological Effects of Multikinase Inhibitors for Kidney Cancer: A Clue for Integration with Cellular Therapies?. J Cancer 2011; 2:333-338. doi:10.7150/jca.2.333. Available from http://www.jcancer.org/v02p0333.htm

Abstract

The multikinase inhibitors Sunitinib and Sorafenib not only inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth, but also have the potential of interacting with the function of the immune system.

Presently available data seem to suggest that Sorafenib may exert immune suppressive effects, whilst the effects of Sunitinib are not so clear, being immune stimulatory in the vast majority - but not all - the studies reported.

Trials of combination of these multikinase inhibitors with different types of immune manipulation - and cellular therapies in particular - should be rationally designed taking into account all these complex effects, which ultimately deserve further insights.

Keywords: immunology, kidney cancer, multikinase inhibitors, cellular therapies.