Immunobiology and Metabolic Pathways of Renal Cell Carcinoma

The treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has changed dramatically with immune checkpoint inhibitors , yet most patients do not have durable responses. There is consequently a tremendous need for novel therapeutic development. RCC, and particularly the most common histology clear cell RCC, is an immunobiologically and metabolically distinct tumor. An improved understanding of RCC-specific biology will be necessary for the successful identification of new treatment targets for this disease. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of RCC immune pathways and metabolic dysregulation, with a focus on topics important for future clinical development.