Initial experience with temsirolimus in 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-line therapy for metastatic renal cell cancer: good clinical response

Abstract

Purpose: To report our experience with temsirolimus in 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-line therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Patients and methods: In our prospectively maintained tumor registry, we identified 6 mRCC patients with temsirolimus in >1st-line systemic therapy. Patients were followed by weekly clinical and laboratory examination during admission of temsirolimus. Re-staging with chest CT and abdominal MRI was performed every 3 months.

Results: We observed excellent response rates. Progression-free survival (PFS) ranged from 6 to 40 months with a median of 15 months. Treatment was generally well tolerated. However, pneumonitis was observed in 4 of 6 patients. Drug-related pneumonitis led to severe dyspnea, with the result that treatment with temsirolimus had to be interrupted for a short period of time in 2 patients and discontinued in 1 patient.

Conclusions: Temsirolimus proved to be a very good treatment option in 2nd- to 4th-line therapy with excellent response rates and manageable side effects. The incidence of pneumonitis must not be underestimated.