Symbolic image representing age and targeted cancer therapy effectiveness.

Targeted Cancer Therapy: Does Age Matter for Kidney Cancer Outcomes?

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals surprising insights into how younger and older patients respond to targeted therapies for advanced kidney cancer."

Kidney cancer, or renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is a significant health concern, with a substantial number of patients already experiencing metastasis, the spread of cancer to other parts of the body, when first diagnosed. For those who undergo surgery, there's still a risk of the cancer returning or spreading. While earlier treatments like cytokine therapy had limited success, the introduction of targeted therapies has dramatically improved outcomes for many patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC).

Interestingly, the relationship between age and RCC is quite strong, with most cases diagnosed in individuals over 60. This raises an important question: do younger and older patients respond differently to targeted therapies? Are there variations in how the disease behaves or how effective treatments are, based on age?

A recent study, conducted in China, dives into this very question, analyzing the outcomes of advanced RCC and mRCC patients treated with targeted therapy. The research explores whether there's a noticeable difference in how young, middle-aged, and older patients respond to these modern treatments.

Decoding the Study: Age and Targeted Therapy Response

Symbolic image representing age and targeted cancer therapy effectiveness.

The study, a retrospective analysis, examined data from 327 patients with advanced RCC and mRCC who received targeted therapy at two hospitals in China between 2006 and 2014. The patients were divided into three age groups: young (under 45 years), middle-aged (45-64 years), and old (65 years and older). The researchers then looked at overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) – how long patients lived and how long their cancer remained stable without progressing – and compared these outcomes across the age groups.

The findings revealed some unexpected results:

Overall Survival (OS): Initially, there were no significant differences in OS between the three age groups. However, further analysis revealed that younger patients (under 65) had significantly worse OS compared to older patients (65 and older).
Progression-Free Survival (PFS): Older patients experienced significantly better PFS than younger and middle-aged patients. This means the cancer in older patients was less likely to progress during the treatment period.
Independent Factor: After accounting for other factors like sex, body mass index, smoking history, and other health conditions, older age was identified as an independent factor associated with better OS and PFS.

In essence, the study suggests that younger patients with advanced RCC and mRCC may have a poorer prognosis when treated with targeted therapy compared to older patients. This is a significant finding that challenges some assumptions about cancer treatment and age.

What Does This Mean for Patients?

The study's findings highlight the complexity of cancer treatment and the importance of considering individual patient factors, including age. While targeted therapies have revolutionized RCC treatment, this research suggests that age may play a more significant role than previously thought. Further research is needed to understand why younger patients may not respond as favorably to these therapies and to develop strategies to improve their outcomes. For patients, this underscores the need to discuss all treatment options and potential outcomes with their healthcare team, taking into account their individual circumstances and risk factors.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and why is it a significant health concern?

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a type of kidney cancer, posing a major health concern due to the high number of patients diagnosed with metastasis at the time of their initial diagnosis. Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer to other parts of the body, which significantly complicates treatment and reduces the chances of successful outcomes. Even after undergoing surgery, patients still face the risk of cancer recurrence or spread, underlining the need for effective treatments like targeted therapies for advanced RCC and metastatic RCC (mRCC).

How have targeted therapies improved the treatment of metastatic RCC (mRCC), and how does this relate to the role of age?

Targeted therapies have dramatically improved outcomes for many patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC). Before the advent of targeted therapies, treatments like cytokine therapy had limited success. However, a recent study from China investigated the influence of age on the effectiveness of these modern treatments. The study divided patients into three age groups: young (under 45 years), middle-aged (45-64 years), and old (65 years and older) to analyze their responses to targeted therapy based on their age. The study's findings suggest that age may play a more significant role than previously thought, with older patients showing better outcomes in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

What were the key findings of the study regarding age and the effectiveness of targeted therapy for advanced RCC and mRCC?

The study revealed several key findings. Initially, there were no significant differences in Overall Survival (OS) across the three age groups. However, after further analysis, it was found that younger patients (under 65) had significantly worse OS compared to older patients (65 and older). Moreover, older patients experienced significantly better Progression-Free Survival (PFS) than younger and middle-aged patients, indicating that their cancer was less likely to progress during the treatment period. Importantly, older age was identified as an independent factor associated with better OS and PFS, even after accounting for other factors like sex, body mass index, smoking history, and other health conditions.

Why is the difference in outcomes between younger and older patients important, and what are the implications for patients?

The difference in outcomes, with younger patients potentially experiencing a poorer prognosis, is significant because it challenges previous assumptions about cancer treatment and age. It highlights the complex nature of cancer treatment and underscores the need to consider individual patient factors, including age. For patients, these findings emphasize the importance of discussing all treatment options and potential outcomes with their healthcare team. Taking into account individual circumstances and risk factors is crucial for making informed decisions about their care and treatment strategies, especially when considering targeted therapies for advanced RCC and mRCC.

What is the meaning of Overall Survival (OS) and Progression-Free Survival (PFS) in the context of this study, and why are they important?

In the context of this study, Overall Survival (OS) refers to how long patients lived after receiving targeted therapy, while Progression-Free Survival (PFS) indicates how long their cancer remained stable without progressing during the treatment period. Both OS and PFS are critical metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of cancer treatments. They provide valuable insights into the treatment's impact on patient longevity (OS) and the ability to control the cancer's progression (PFS). The study used these measures to compare outcomes across different age groups, revealing that older patients generally experienced better OS and PFS compared to younger patients when treated with targeted therapies for advanced RCC and mRCC, which informs treatment considerations.