Kidney Cancer

Pre-clinical studies show that PRX321 can selectively and potently destroy cancer cells that express IL-4, a cell surface receptor that is expressed in high levels in a wide range of cancers including kidney cancer. This specificity limits the amount of damage to the surrounding healthy cells and tissues concentrating its effect on cancerous cells only. PRX321 is expected to offer a less invasive option with a greater therapeutic effect than current treatments.

What is Kidney Cancer?

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist, that are fixed to the upper back wall of the abdominal cavity. The kidneys' main job is to filter the blood and rid the body of excess water, salt, and waste products. The filtered waste products are concentrated into urine which is stored in the bladder until urination. Kidney cancer occurs when some of the cells in the kidneys begin growing abnormally. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma (RCC) which accounts for over 90% of malignant kidney tumours.

How Common is Kidney Cancer?

Kidney cancer is a significant cause of cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that during 2006 about 38,900 new cases will be diagnosed and 12,900 people will die from the disease in the U.S. alone. The disease is almost twice as common in men as it is in women and occurs most often between the ages of 55 and 84.

How is Kidney Cancer Detected?

Unfortunately kidney cancers are often detected in later stages since they do not usually cause any signs or symptoms. Possible symptoms include blood in the urine (hematuria), low back pain on one side, or a mass or lump in the abdomen. Fortunately, kidney cancer can be diagnosed without the need of a biopsy through the use of various imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and laboratory tests such as urinalysis.

What are the Current Treatments for Kidney Cancer?

Depending on the stage of the disease, treatment options can vary. Earlier stages of disease are often treated with surgery where the entire affected kidney is removed (nephrectomy). Although kidneys are important, a person can function on less than one complete kidney. Late stage disease is most often treated with cytokine therapy.