Dr. Mahoney on Potential of VISTA-Targeting Therapy in RCC

Kathleen Mahoney, MD, PhD, instructor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, attending physician of medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, discusses the potential benefit of targeting V-domain immunoglobulin containing suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

VISTA, a B7 protein, is in the same family as PD-1 and PD-L1 and is overexpressed in many kidney cancers including clear cell, papillary and chromophobe RCC, explains Mahoney. Early data suggest that VISTA may be a potentially actionable target that may have immunosuppressive functions in kidney cancer and other cancers.

With a better understanding of the biology of VISTA, investigators may be able to develop effective therapeutics to treat patients with kidney cancer, says Mahoney. The main questions to answer, she adds, is how to best select patients and minimize toxicity while developing effective therapies for these patients. A stronger understanding of the biology of this potential target may provide that insight, Mahoney concludes.