Advanced kidney cancer refers to disease that has spread beyond the kidney to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, or distant organs, and is generally not curable with surgery alone. Treatment focuses on slowing tumor growth, managing symptoms, and extending survival through systemic therapies such as targeted drugs, immunotherapies, or combination regimens.

There are numerous clinical trials for advanced kidney cancer worldwide, evaluating new immune checkpoint inhibitors, next-generation targeted therapies, and personalized treatment combinations designed to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients at this stage.

Metastatic kidney cancer occurs when cancer that starts in the kidney—most often renal cell carcinoma—spreads to other parts of the body such as the lungs, bones, liver, or brain. At this stage, treatment focuses on controlling disease growth and improving survival rather than cure.

There are many active clinical trials for metastatic kidney cancer testing new immunotherapies, targeted drugs, and combination treatments that aim to enhance the immune response and overcome drug resistance. These trials are helping to advance more personalized and effective options for patients living with advanced kidney cancer.

Immunotherapy for kidney cancer—most often renal cell carcinoma (RCC)—uses the body’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. These treatments include immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab (Opdivo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda), which block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking tumors, as well as combination therapies that pair immunotherapy with targeted drugs or other immune modulators.

There are many ongoing clinical trials for kidney cancer immunotherapy worldwide. These studies are testing new checkpoint inhibitors, personalized cancer vaccines, cellular therapies, and novel drug combinations designed to boost immune response and improve survival for both advanced and earlier-stage kidney cancer.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the main type of kidney cancer, originating in the renal cortex, where the kidney’s tiny filtering units (tubules) are located. These cells help clean the blood and make urine, but in RCC, they begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. RCC can sometimes spread to other organs, such as the lungs, bones, or liver. It includes several subtypes—like clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe—which help guide treatment decisions. Most cases are treated with surgery, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, and many clinical trials are testing newer, more precise approaches.

In the U.S., top centers for kidney cancer care include MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, known for its leading genitourinary oncology program; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, recognized for advanced surgical and immunotherapy expertise; and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, which offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary care and access to innovative trials. Internationally, renowned institutions such as Gustave Roussy in France, Charité Hospital in Germany, National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan, and Sheba Medical Center in Israel are known for world-class research, precision treatment, and pioneering kidney cancer therapies.

In 2025, new treatments for kidney cancer are advancing rapidly. A personalized neoantigen vaccine for clear cell renal cell carcinoma is showing promise by training the immune system to target residual tumor cells after surgery. The triple-drug combination of cabozantinib, nivolumab, and ipilimumab has demonstrated improved progression-free survival in advanced cases compared to previous regimens. Meanwhile, HIF-2α inhibitors like belzutifan and new targeted therapy–immunotherapy combinations are reshaping care, offering more precise and durable treatment options for patients with advanced or metastatic disease.