Understanding the biological mechanisms of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has led to the development of newly immunotherapy, anti-angiogenic and molecularly targeted agents and effective combinations of these agents. Internationally accepted clinical practice guidelines for metastatic RCC have undergone several revisions because these treatment regimes are supported by Phase III trials. The choice of the treatment regimes (high-dose interleukin-2, checkpoint inhibitors "anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody (nivolumab)", inhibitors of the vascular endothelial growth factor ve mammalian target of Rapamycin pathways should be assessed in the light of the latest published studies, the treatments previously received and the prognostic status of the patient. In this review, the data supporting the roles of novel therapeutic agents and current treatment options of metastatic RCC, are presented in accordance with the literature.

Keywords: Renal cell carcinoma; immunotherapy; molecular targeted therapy