Grünwald V et al. Nat Rev Urol  2018. doi:10.1038/s41585-018-0034-9.

Results from this small study suggest that the combination of the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab and the checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab improves antigen-specific T-cell migration in metastatic renal cell carcinoma more than either single agent alone. Summary points Anti-tumor immune activation by checkpoint inhibitors has shown strong responses in a variety of cancers, but a combination of approaches is required to extend this benefit. Preclinical models have shown that tumor-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) limits immune cell activity while anti-VEGF therapy augments intra-tumoral T-cell infiltration. This study investigated how VEGF blockade with bevacizumab could improve checkpoint inhibition with atezolizumab in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Levels of intra-tumoral CD8+ T cells increased following combination treatment with bevacizumab and atezolizumab. Furthermore, a related increase was observed in intra-tumoral class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I), T-helper 1 and T-effector markers, and chemokines, most notably fractalkine (CX3CL1). Fractalkine receptor was also observed to increase on peripheral CD8+ T cells with treatment. Finally, increases in trafficking lymphocyte were observed in tumors following bevacizumab and combination treatment. The authors conclude that the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab improves antigen-specific T-cell migration in mRCC. Wallin​​​​​​​ JJ et al.  Nat Commun  2016; 7: 12624.doi: 10.1038/ncomms12624

Stenman M et al. Radiother Oncol  2018; 127(3): 501-506. doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2018.04.028

Staging of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is essential to determine prognosis and to define appropriate treatment. This article describes the most appropriate staging evaluation of patients with RCC. Dunnick NR. Abdom Radiol 2016; 41: 1079–1085. doi:10.1007/s00261-016-0692-0

Zhao F et al.  Support Care Cancer 2018; 26(6): 1889-1895. doi:10.1007/s00520-017-4027-7

Barata PC et al.  Br J Cancer  2018. doi:10.1038/s41416-018-0104-z

Results from this small study suggest that the combination of the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab and the checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab improves antigen-specific T-cell migration in metastatic renal cell carcinoma more than either single agent alone. Nat Commun  2016; 7: 12624.doi: 10.1038/ncomms12624

This review discusses the biological principles that underlie the mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors and considers future directions for immune-directed therapies for renal cell carcinoma. Nat Rev Urol  2016;13: 420–431. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2016.103

Sukov WR & Cheville JC. In: Genitourinary Pathology . Edited by Magi-Galluzzi C, Przybycin CG. Springer New York, 2015. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2044-0_23

This chapter provides an overview of the incidence, demographics and risk factors associated with the development of renal cell carcinoma. Narayanan S et al. In: Kidney Cancer . Edited by Lara PN Jonasch E. Springer International Publishing, 2015. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-17903-2_1

This chapter reviews the existing treatment options for localized renal cell carcinoma contextualized against the risks of competing health comorbidities and chronic kidney disease. Canter DJ, Cahn DB, & Uzzo RG. In: Kidney Cancer . Edited by Lara PN, Jonasch E. Springer International Publishing, 2015. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-17903-2_9

Although considered to be a relatively radio-resistant neoplasm, some data suggest that renal cell carcinoma does respond to radiation therapy. This chapter reviews the relevant evidence. Verma J & Mahajan A. In: Kidney Cancer . Springer International Publishing, 2015. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-17903-2_13

This review provides a critical evaluation of key advances in the molecular characterization of tumor and patient factors in renal cell carcinoma. Nat Rev Urol  2015; 12: 253–262. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2015.71