Information on this page is provided as a guide and may change. Please verify details directly with the treatment center or other appropriate source before making care decisions.

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UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Kidney Cancer Program

Key Contacts

Department Chair:
Dr. Ethan Basch – Division Chief
Medical Oncology:
Dr. Matthew Milowsky – Section Head
Medical Oncology:
Dr. Tracy Rose – Associate Professor
Radiation Oncology Lead:
Dr. Michael Repka – Assistant Professor
Urology Oncology Lead:
Dr. Ray Tan – Chief of the Division of Urologic Oncology
Medical Oncology:
Dr. Catherine Fahey MD/PhD – Assistant Professor
Patient Navigator & Appointments:
Call (984) 974-0000
Clinical Trials Contact:
[email protected]
(919) 966-4432

Volume

Metrics reflect this center’s demonstrated experience across key areas of kidney cancer care.

Kidney Cancer Surgery Volume

Medium

Clear Cell Kidney Cancer Diagnosis Volume

High

Non–Clear Cell Kidney Cancer Diagnosis Volume

Very High

About these ratings

Volume and expertise levels are determined using standardized thresholds established by the Kidney Cancer Association and updated annually. Metrics are based on available data and may not reflect the full scope of a center’s capabilities or activity. These metrics are intended to help patients identify centers with demonstrated experience in kidney cancer care.

Types of Services Offered

Clinical Trials End of Life Services Genetic Counseling Infusion Center Integrative Oncology Molecular Testing Multidisciplinary Clinic Oncology Urgent Care Clinic Palliative & Supportive Care Patient Case Discussions / Tumor Boards Precision Medicine Survivorship Clinics Interventional Radiology Medical Oncology Pain Management Palliative Care Pathology Radiation Oncology Radiology Urologic Surgery

Kidney Cancer Types & Expertise

Chromophobe RCC Clear Cell RCC Collecting Duct RCC FH-deficient RCC Other Expertise Papillary RCC Renal Medullary Carcinoma Sarcomatoid Translocation RCC Tuberous Sclerosis–associated RCC Unclassified RCC VHL-associated RCC Bilateral Kidney Tumors Complex Recurrent Cases Cystic Renal Tumors Hereditary Syndromes Kidney Transplant Recipients Pediatric (diagnosed under age 18) Pregnancy Solitary Kidney Young Adult (age 18-50)

Other Expertise

Hereditary RCC

Special Programs, Recognitions & Outcomes

American College of Surgeons Accredited Cancer Program Government-Funded Research Member of Kidney Cancer Consortium NCI Designated Cancer Center

Consortium Member

Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology

Research Programs

Clinical Multi-Institutional Collaboration Population-Based Research Lab Translational

Multi-Institutional Collaborations

Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN)
SWOG Cancer Research Network
NRG Oncology
NIH/NCI- Funded Translational Research Networks
Industry-Sponsored Global RCC Trials
Academic Collaborations

Patient Resources & Support Services

Art Therapy Fertility Preservation Counseling Financial Navigators Interpreter Services Lodging / Long-Term Housing Lymphedema Therapy Music Therapy Nurse Navigators Nutrition Services / Dietician Occupational Therapy On-site Dispensing / Pharmacy Parking Assistance (valet or concierge) Pastoral / Spiritual Care Patient Navigators Peer Support Options Physical Therapy Psychiatrists / Psychologists Remote Monitoring Tools Social Workers / Counselors Transportation Service Wellness Center

Insurance Carriers

Accepted

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • Humana
  • Blue Cross NC
  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Insurance information is provided as a guide and may change. Participation can vary by plan, location, and individual coverage. Please contact the treatment center and your insurance provider directly to confirm that your specific insurance plan is currently accepted and to understand any applicable coverage requirements or costs.

Open Clinical Trials

Testing the Addition of the Anti-Cancer Drug Tivozanib to Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) After Surgery to Remove All Known Sites of Kidney Cancer

This phase III trial compares the effect of adding tivozanib to standard therapy pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab alone for the treatment of patients with high-risk renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Tivozanib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals tumor cells to multiply. This helps stop the spread of tumor cells. Giving pembrolizumab and tivozanib together may work better than pembrolizumab alone in treating patients with RCC.

Testing the Addition of Stereotactic Radiation Therapy With Immune Therapy for the Treatment of Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer, SAMURAI Trial

This phase II trial tests whether the addition of radiation to the primary tumor, typically given with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR), in combination with standard of care immunotherapy improves outcomes in patients with renal cell cancer that is not recommended for surgery and has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Radiation therapy uses high energy photons to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Stereotactic body radiation therapy uses special equipment to position a patient and deliver radiation to tumors with high precision. This method may kill tumor cells with fewer doses of radiation over a shorter period and cause less damage to normal tissue. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as nivolumab, ipilimumab, avelumab, and pembrolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Axitinib, cabozantinib, and lenvatinib are in a class of medications called antiangiogenic agents. They work by stopping the formation of blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to tumor. This may slow the growth and spread of tumor. Giving SABR in combination with standard of care immunotherapy may help shrink or stabilize the cancer in patients with renal cell cancer.

A First-In Human (FIH) Trial to Find Out if REGN10597 is Safe and How Well it Works for Adult Participants With Advanced Solid Organ Malignancies

This study is researching an experimental drug called REGN10597 (called "study drug"). The study is focused on patients with certain solid tumors that are in an advanced stage.<br /> <br /> The aim of the study is to see how safe, tolerable, and effective the study drug is.<br /> <br /> The study is looking at several other research questions, including:<br /> <br /> * What side effects may happen from taking the study drug<br /> * How much study drug is in the blood at different times<br /> * Whether the body makes antibodies against the study drug (which could make the drug less effective or could lead to side effects)

Study of Casdatifan and Cabozantinib Versus Placebo and Cabozantinib in Patients With Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the progression-free survival (PFS) of casdatifan versus placebo when each is given in combination with cabozantinib in adult patients with confirmed advanced or metastatic clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma who have experienced progression on or after prior anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy.