Anyone have success with immunotherapy for kidney cancer?

@rkruzeski
I had my right kidney removed in October 24. All good until September 25 when it metastasized to my right lung. Went on immunotherapy, Keytruda and Inlyta for there months and tolerated the therapy pretty well though the Inlyta side effects caused discomfort, blood pressure and stool issues. Anyway in May my pet scan showed a complete response or no visible disease. Went off the Inlyta but kept doing the Keytruda infusions every three weeks. Just had another pet scan in August and still no visible disease. I hope it’s okay of I say praise the Lord!

@rkruzeski, what a welcome break to go on a treatment holiday! Throwing confetti in celebration. How are the foot sores? Have they cleared or improved since you've been off the meds?

After 6 months on Cabozantinib, 60 mg for 3 months then 40 mg for 3 months due to side effects, my last scan came up clear! For 3 months I am on what my doctor calls a "Treatment Holiday" or meds free. I will scan again after 3 months and see if I need to go back on it. While on the meds I think I experienced every side effect there was. The worst one, besides the bloody nose incidents, was the foot sores. They got so bad I was going to take a break from treatment even without a clear scan. Praying my next scan around Halloween comes back clear again1

No Keytruda for now.
I’m fortunate. Only pain has been in my right leg. Since the radiation, it is not as bad.

@rm3bhm, did you decide to try Keytruda? Do you have a palliative doctor to help with pain management?

@bobinaz, how are you doing on immunotherapy and targeted therapy?

I was first diagnosed in 2013. Had a partial nephrectomy of R kidney. No follow up treatment.
In 2021 RCC was found in my stomach. Did one infusion of Keytruda. Liver enzymes went crazy and had to stay on steroids for a long while. It has now metastasized to my pancreas, lungs, and recently to my R lower leg. This is the first time to have pain. Had radiation to the leg.
Been on Lenvima off and on since March. Just had scans. Most lesions are decreasing with the exception of my pancreas.
Dr wants me to add Keytruda.
Not sure what I will do.
But I’m still here. Current age 64.

@ronsale
My 53 year old son had a right nephrectomy last January. He had clear margins but a high rating so he did the Keytruda treatments with few side effects.
I found your note encouraging for a mother who had kidney cancer in 1964 with an nephrectomy. Praise God I am still here.!

My third CT done this month shows no spread of cancer and malignant kidney lesion is still no longer visible on scan. That means the three scans done over a twelve month period have remained clear. I am confidant that the 19 Keytruda treatments I had which ended in November of last year had something to do with this. As I pointed out before, I opted out of having total nephrectomy done as urologist suggested be done when malignant tumor on left kidney was diagnosed in March of 2023. Keytruda and five high does radiation done in 2024 to stop bleeding were the only treatments I had.

@colleenyoung Stage 4. 3 months immunotherapy. 4 months cabometyx