Non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Approximately 70–80% of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients have no signs of the spread of the cancer to other organs (metastatic disease) at the time of first diagnosis. The standard treatment is the surgical removal (resection) of the affected kidney, followed by close observation of the patient’s health status by performing regular diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound of the abdomen, chest X-ray and/or computer tomography. The goal is to detect any new tumor tissue as early as possible and to begin an appropriate treatment immediately. However, nearly 40% of patients who have undergone surgery experience a recurrence of RCC within 2 years. These patients, who are at risk of the cancer reoccurring, can be identified by various criteria and probably have undetectable cancer cells that, if left untreated, can grow into detectable metastases.

Currently there are no approved medical treatments for the immediate post-surgery period. Consequently, there is a high need to develop a therapy that may prevent or delay the development of metastases.