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Home › Conditions › Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal Cell Carcinoma

Part of Urologic Neoplasms

15 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Renal Cell Carcinoma

152 trials tracked for Renal Cell Carcinoma: 26 in phase 3 or 4 and 8 with published results. The most-cited published study has 1009 citations.

152Trials tracked
26Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
8With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 5 Phase 3 21 Phase 2 76 Phase 1 15 Other / NA 35
  1. Phase 3 A Study of Atezolizumab in Combination With Bevacizumab Versus Sunitinib in Participants With Untreated Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Completed · 1,009 cited
  2. Phase 3 Safety and Efficacy Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) as Monotherapy in the Adjuvant Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma Post Nephrectomy (MK-3475-564/KEYNOTE-564) Completed · 741 cited
  3. Phase 3 Nivolumab Combined With Ipilimumab Versus Sunitinib in Previously Untreated Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (CheckMate 214) Completed · 262 cited
  4. Phase 3 A Study to Compare Tivozanib Hydrochloride to Sorafenib in Participants With Refractory Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Completed · 257 cited
  5. Phase 3 A Study Comparing Nivolumab, Nivolumab in Combination With Ipilimumab and Placebo in Participants With Localized Kidney Cancer Who Underwent Surgery to Remove Part of a Kidney Completed · 170 cited
  6. Phase 4 A Study to Evaluate the Safety of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Subjects With Previously Untreated Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Completed · 137 cited
Show 44 more trials
  1. Phase 3 A Study of Cabozantinib (XL184) vs Everolimus in Subjects With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed · 57 cited
  2. Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Axitinib Versus Sunitinib Monotherapy in Participants With Renal Cell Carcinoma (MK-3475-426/KEYNOTE-426) Completed · 36 cited
  3. Phase 4 A Trial of Everolimis in Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma. Completed
  4. Phase 4 An Investigational Immuno-therapy Safety Trial of Nivolumab in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  5. Phase 4 Aldesleukin in Participants With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma or Metastatic Melanoma Completed
  6. Phase 4 Safety And Efficacy Study Of Sunitinib Malate As First-Line Systemic Therapy In Chinese Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  7. Phase 3 A Study of Continued Treatment Among Participants Who Have Responded to Peginterferon Alfa-2a (Pegasys®) or Recombinant Interferon Alfa-2a (Roferon-A®) in Prior Clinical Studies Completed
  8. Phase 3 Pazopanib Versus Sunitinib in the Treatment of Locally Advanced and/or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  9. Phase 3 Patient Preference Study of Pazopanib Versus Sunitinib in Advanced or Metastatic Kidney Cancer Completed
  10. Phase 3 Extension Study to VEG105192 to Assess Pazopanib in Patients With Advanced/Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Completed
  11. Phase 3 SU011248 Versus Interferon-Alfa As First-Line Systemic Therapy For Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  12. Phase 3 Study Evaluating Interferon And CCI-779 In Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  13. Phase 3 Safety and Efficacy of GW786034 (Pazopanib) In Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  14. Phase 3 Study Comparing Bevacizumab + Temsirolimus vs. Bevacizumab + Interferon-Alfa In Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Subjects Completed
  15. Phase 3 Study of Dovitinib Versus Sorafenib in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  16. Phase 3 Pre-surgical Detection of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) Using Radiolabeled G250-Antibody Completed
  17. Phase 3 Study of BAY43-9006 in Patients With Unresectable and/or Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Completed
  18. Phase 3 Phase III Study of Sorafenib in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Completed
  19. Phase 3 Temsirolimus Versus Sorafenib As Second-Line Therapy In Patients With Advanced RCC Who Have Failed First-Line Sunitinib Completed
  20. Phase 3 RAD001 Plus Best Supportive Care (BSC) Versus BSC Plus Placebo in Patients With Metastatic Carcinoma of the Kidney Which Has Progressed After Treatment With Sorafenib and/or Sunitinib Completed
  21. Phase 2 SU011248 In The Treatment Of Patients With Bevacizumab (Avastin)-Refractory Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  22. Phase 2 Compare Safety and Efficacy of BIBF 1120 Versus Sunitinib. Completed
  23. Phase 2 A Study of Tivozanib (AV-951), an Oral VEGF Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, in the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  24. Phase 2 Study to Evaluate Ibrutinib Combination Therapy in Patients With Selected Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Tumors Completed
  25. Phase 2 Cediranib (AZD2171, RECENTIN™) in Metastatic or Recurrent Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  26. Phase 2 Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Monotherapy in Locally Advanced/Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (MK-3475-427/KEYNOTE-427) Completed
  27. Phase 2 Efficacy and Safety Comparison of RAD001 Versus Sunitinib in the First-line and Second-line Treatment of Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  28. Phase 2 Neoadjuvant Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Bevacizumab for Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  29. Phase 2 Sorafenib Dose Escalation in Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  30. Phase 2 A Rollover Study for Patients Who Received Tremelimumab in Other Protocols, to Allow the Patients Access to Tremelimumab Until This Agent Becomes Commercially Available or Development is Discontinued. Completed
  31. Phase 2 Study of Hydroxychloroquine and Aldesleukin in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients (RCC) Completed
  32. Phase 2 Everolimus as Second-line Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  33. Phase 2 BNC105P in Combination With Everolimus/Following Everolimus For Progressive Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  34. Phase 2 Study Of SU011248 Plus Gefitinib (Iressa) In Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  35. Phase 2 Long-term Extension From RCC Phase II (11515) Completed
  36. Phase 2 Phase II Study of Alternating Sunitinib and Temsirolimus Completed
  37. Phase 2 Doxorubicin and Gemcitabine in Treating Patients With Locally Recurrent or Metastatic Unresectable Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  38. Phase 2 Zoledronate With Atorvastatin in Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  39. Phase 2 Exploratory Study Evaluating Fluorodeoxyglucose - Position Emission Tomography as a Predictive Marker for Therapy With RAD001 in Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer Completed
  40. Phase 2 Bevacizumab Plus Ixabepilone to Treat Patients With Advanced Kidney Cancer Completed
  41. Phase 2 Phase Ib/II Trial of Interleukin-2 and PD-1 Checkpoint Inhibitor, Nivolumab In Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer Completed
  42. Phase 2 Phase II Clinical Trial of Gemcitabine and Doxil® for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Completed
  43. Phase 2 A Study of E7080 Alone, and in Combination With Everolimus in Subjects With Unresectable Advanced or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Following One Prior Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-Targeted Treatment Completed
  44. Phase 2 Safety and Tolerability of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) + Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b and Pembrolizumab+ Ipilimumab in Participants With Advanced Melanoma or Renal Cell Carcinoma (MK-3475-029/KEYNOTE-29) Completed

Showing the 50 most-cited and recently-updated of 152 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Percutaneous thermal ablation shows higher local recurrence than robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for localized renal cell carcinoma
Oncology Meta-analysis
Percutaneous thermal ablation shows higher local recurrence than robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for localized renal cell carcinoma Meta-analysis shows higher local recurrence risk with thermal ablation for kidney cancer
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 2,516 patients with localized renal cell carcinoma compared percutaneous thermal ablation to rob…
A large analysis of kidney cancer treatments found thermal ablation had higher local recurrence rates than partial nephrectomy, though overa…
Jun 1, 2026
FDA approves OPDIVO QVANTIG for multiple advanced cancer indications including renal cell carcinoma and melanoma
Oncology FDA Approval
FDA approves OPDIVO QVANTIG for multiple advanced cancer indications including renal cell carcinoma and melanoma FDA approves subcutaneous nivolumab combination for multiple advanced cancers
This FDA approval document grants authorization for OPDIVO QVANTIG, a subcutaneous combination of nivolumab and hyaluronidase, for specified…
The FDA has approved a new subcutaneous form of nivolumab for several advanced cancers, offering a more convenient treatment option for elig…
FDA May 15, 2026
Early time-of-day immune checkpoint inhibitor administration improves overall survival in advanced solid tumors
Oncology Meta-analysis
Early time-of-day immune checkpoint inhibitor administration improves overall survival in advanced solid tumors Cancer Patients Live Longer When Immunotherapy Starts Early in Day
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 6129 patients with advanced solid tumors receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Earlier …
• Morning immunotherapy shots link to longer survival for advanced cancers • Helps patients fighting lung stomach kidney and other tough can…
May 5, 2026
Kidney-directed SBRT shows modest renal function decline in inoperable patients
Nephrology Phase II
Kidney-directed SBRT shows modest renal function decline in inoperable patients Small study shows kidney function drops after radiation for hard-to-treat tumors
This prospective phase 2 single-arm trial evaluated kidney-directed SBRT in 30 patients with primary or metastatic renal tumors who were med…
Radiation to treat kidney tumors may lower kidney function over two years, even when surgery is not an option.
May 1, 2026
Narrative review suggests adjuvant pembrolizumab benefits selected high-risk renal cell carcinoma patients
Allergy & Immunology Sys. Review
Narrative review suggests adjuvant pembrolizumab benefits selected high-risk renal cell carcinoma patients Old cancer drugs failed, but one new drug saves high-risk kidney patients today
This narrative review evaluates adjuvant therapies for renal cell carcinoma, including cytokine-based immunotherapy, VEGF-targeted agents, a…
Doctors finally have a powerful new tool to stop kidney cancer from coming back after surgery, but it only works for specific patients.
Frontiers Apr 27, 2026
Open-sourcing data and annotations for renal cell carcinoma yielded 142 annotated CT scans from 101 patients
Radiology & Imaging Cohort
Open-sourcing data and annotations for renal cell carcinoma yielded 142 annotated CT scans from 101 patients Open-source CT scans aim to boost kidney cancer AI research
This cohort study involved 101 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and analyzed 142 annotated CT scans.
Researchers release 142 annotated CT scans from 101 kidney cancer patients to accelerate AI development.
medRxiv Apr 24, 2026
Hong Kong consensus statement updates management for locally advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Oncology Guideline
Hong Kong consensus statement updates management for locally advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma New Kidney Cancer Rules Change How Doctors Treat Metastasis
This guideline presents a consensus statement developed by 6 urologists and 8 clinical oncologists in Hong Kong regarding locally advanced a…
New expert rules update kidney cancer care with more drug options and clearer surgery plans.
Frontiers Apr 23, 2026
Comprehensive review compares ICI-based regimens and ICI-TKI combinations against sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Oncology Sys. Review
Comprehensive review compares ICI-based regimens and ICI-TKI combinations against sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma Kidney Cancer Treatment Just Took a Sharp Turn
This comprehensive review evaluates contemporary immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based regimens and ICI-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) co…
New kidney cancer treatments help patients live longer with fewer side effects than older drugs, giving more people a fighting chance agains…
Frontiers Apr 21, 2026
Real-world analysis finds 34% grade 3-4 adverse events in mRCC patients on immune-based combos
Nephrology Cohort
Real-world analysis finds 34% grade 3-4 adverse events in mRCC patients on immune-based combos Kidney Cancer Treatment: Real-World Side Effects Are Less Severe Than Expected
A retrospective cohort analysis of 2,401 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving first-line immune-based combination therapy…
Real-world kidney cancer patients experience fewer severe side effects from immunotherapy than clinical trials suggest, offering relief to t…
Frontiers Apr 21, 2026
Low ipilimumab trough concentration linked to worse progression-free survival in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Drug Pipeline RCT
Low ipilimumab trough concentration linked to worse progression-free survival in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma Low Drug Levels Mean Worse Outcomes
This randomized phase 2 trial evaluated nivolumab and ipilimumab trough plasma concentrations in 110 patients with metastatic clear cell ren…
Low levels of a common kidney cancer drug are linked to worse survival outcomes when used with another powerful medicine.
Apr 18, 2026
Targeted therapy versus non-targeted therapy in renal cell carcinoma patients
Primary Care & Family Medicine Cohort
Targeted therapy versus non-targeted therapy in renal cell carcinoma patients Real-world study in Taiwan shows targeted therapy offers similar life expectancy for advanced kidney cancer compared to non-targeted therapy
This real-world cohort study analyzed 14,131 renal cell carcinoma cases in Taiwan from 1998 to 2016.
In Taiwan, targeted therapy for advanced kidney cancer offers similar life expectancy to non-targeted therapy, with both groups living aroun…
Frontiers Apr 16, 2026
Simlukafusp alfa plus atezolizumab with or without bevacizumab shows antitumor activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Oncology RCT
Simlukafusp alfa plus atezolizumab with or without bevacizumab shows antitumor activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma Does adding bevacizumab nearly triple the time before kidney cancer grows back?
A phase Ib randomized open-label study in 66 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma found objective response rates of 25% with simluk…
Adding bevacizumab nearly tripled the time before kidney cancer grew back compared to a two-drug mix in this early study.
Apr 14, 2026

Research across Urologic Neoplasms

Related studies from across the Urologic Neoplasms family.

Fianlimab plus cemiplimab showed objective response rates of 20% to 33% in advanced solid tumors during a Phase 1 study.
Oncology Phase I
Fianlimab plus cemiplimab showed objective response rates of 20% to 33% in advanced solid tumors during a Phase 1 study. Early trial shows new cancer drug combo helps some patients with advanced disease
This Phase 1, first-in-human dose-expansion study evaluated fianlimab 1600 mg plus cemiplimab 350 mg in patients with advanced non-small cel…
A new drug combination helped some patients with advanced lung, kidney, head and neck, or skin cancer shrink their tumors in early testing.
Jun 4, 2026
ADRB1 and ADRB2 antihypertensive target perturbations associated with increased clear cell renal cell carcinoma risk
Drug Pipeline Meta-analysis
ADRB1 and ADRB2 antihypertensive target perturbations associated with increased clear cell renal cell carcinoma risk Genetic markers linked to blood pressure drugs raise kidney cancer risk
This meta-analysis of Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses found that genetic perturbations equivalent to antihypertensive dr…
Genetic data suggests certain blood pressure targets may increase clear cell renal cell carcinoma risk, a finding that warrants attention fo…
Frontiers Jun 3, 2026
Angiogenic ccRCC tumors show higher pancreatic metastasis rate in phase II trial
Oncology RCT
Angiogenic ccRCC tumors show higher pancreatic metastasis rate in phase II trial Pancreatic Metastases Predict Better Sunitinib Response in Kidney Cancer
This phase II RCT of 305 treatment-naive ccRCC patients found that angiogenic tumors had a higher rate of pancreatic metastases (21% vs. 6.9…
Kidney tumors with certain genetic patterns are more likely to spread to the pancreas. Patients with these pancreatic metastases respond bet…
May 16, 2026
Meta-analysis shows active surveillance and ablative therapy for small renal masses have comparable cancer-specific survival
Nephrology Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis shows active surveillance and ablative therapy for small renal masses have comparable cancer-specific survival Active surveillance vs ablation for small kidney tumors: what works?
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates active surveillance (AS) versus ablative therapy (AT) for patients with small renal masse…
For small kidney tumors, ablation may boost survival, but cancer-specific death risk is similarly low with either approach.
May 1, 2026
Prospective study shows active surveillance yields high survival for small renal masses under 2 cm
Oncology
Prospective study shows active surveillance yields high survival for small renal masses under 2 cm Small kidney tumors may not need surgery right away
This prospective multi-institutional study evaluated active surveillance in patients aged over 50 years with asymptomatic, unilateral small …
Many small kidney tumors stay harmless for years, meaning patients might avoid surgery and its risks without putting their health in danger.
Apr 29, 2026
CFP10 immunohistochemistry shows high sensitivity for renal tuberculosis in surgical specimens
Rheumatology Cohort
CFP10 immunohistochemistry shows high sensitivity for renal tuberculosis in surgical specimens New Test Finds Hidden TB in Kidney Tissue
A retrospective cohort study of 86 patients with surgically resected renal tissue found CFP10 immunohistochemical staining had 91.8% sensiti…
A new kidney test spots hidden tuberculosis by finding a specific protein that standard methods often miss, helping doctors catch the infect…
Frontiers Apr 13, 2026
Meta-analysis shows ERAS care improves recovery and reduces complications in laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cancer
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis shows ERAS care improves recovery and reduces complications in laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cancer ERAS Care Helps Kidney Cancer Patients Heal Faster
This meta-analysis evaluated enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) versus traditional care in 2,361 patients undergoing laparoscopic radica…
Kidney cancer patients recovering from surgery heal faster with a special plan, eating and walking sooner while spending less time in the ho…
Frontiers Apr 10, 2026

Questions about Renal Cell Carcinoma

What does the Hong Kong consensus statement recommend for managing metastatic renal cell carcinoma?

The Hong Kong consensus recommends immunotherapy-based combinations for first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma, active surveillance for select patients, and specific strategies for non-clear cell or sarcomatoid subtypes.

Full answer →
What factors predict pathological upstaging in clinical stage T1 renal cell carcinoma?

Male gender, older age, higher BMI, larger tumor size (cT1b), irregular margins, tumor necrosis on imaging, and higher RENAL score predict pathological upstaging in cT1 RCC.

Full answer →
Can adjuvant pembrolizumab benefit selected high-risk patients with renal cell carcinoma?

Yes, adjuvant pembrolizumab benefits selected high-risk RCC patients after surgery, improving disease-free and overall survival based on the KEYNOTE-564 trial.

Full answer →

All Renal Cell Carcinoma Articles