What Is Sorafenib and How Is It Used in Kidney Cancer?

Sorafenib (brand name Nexavar) is a targeted therapy used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), particularly in patients who have progressed after other treatments or are not eligible for newer therapies. It was one of the earliest effective oral treatments developed for kidney cancer.

Sorafenib is part of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) family and works by blocking several important proteins that help tumors grow and develop their own blood supply.

How Does It Work?

Sorafenib targets multiple pathways involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis (blood vessel formation), including:

• VEGFR
• PDGFR
• RAF kinases

By inhibiting these signals, sorafenib helps:

• Cut off the tumor’s blood supply
• Slow or stop cancer cell growth
• Delay disease progression

How Is It Taken?

• Taken orally, usually twice daily (400 mg per dose)
• Should be taken on an empty stomach or with a low-fat meal
• Treatment continues as long as it is effective and tolerable

Close monitoring with regular blood tests and imaging is required during treatment.

Common Side Effects

Like other TKIs, sorafenib can cause side effects that may affect daily life:

• Fatigue
• Rash or hand-foot skin reaction
• Diarrhea
• High blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Thinning hair
• Weight loss

Some patients also experience mouth sores and nausea. Side effects are often manageable with supportive care or dose adjustments.

Is It Still Used?

Although newer drugs like cabozantinib and combination immunotherapy are now preferred first-line treatments, sorafenib may still be used in certain patients, especially in regions where access to newer therapies is limited or when other drugs have failed.

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