Key considerations in patient selection for the use of targeted therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

The number of treatment options for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the extent of clinical evidence available to support treatment decisions are increasing. Targeted agents such as the tyrosine kinase inhibitors sunitinib and sorafenib have set new standards in this challenging condition and several are now approved for use in patients with metastatic RCC. Accurate prediction of prognosis in metastatic RCC is essential for counselling and understanding the potential implications of prognostic factors on treatment outcome can help guide therapeutic interventions. In metastatic RCC, key prognostic factors include performance status, histological subtype, and number and location of metastases. Data on the implications of these prognostic factors alone or as part of validated risk models will be presented and recommendations for treatment of key patient groups provided.