Use of pd-1 and tim-3 as a measure for cd8+ cells in predicting and treating renal cell carcinoma

A method for determining whether a subject suffering from a renal cell carcinoma will achieve a response with an immune-checkpoint inhibitor and treatment of the subject comprising the steps of

• i) quantifying the percent of CD8+ T cells co-expressing PD-1 and Tim-3 in a tumor tissue sample obtained from the subject treated with an immune-checkpoint inhibitor,
• ii) comparing the percent CD8+ T cells co-expressing PD-1 and Tim-3 quantified at step i) with its corresponding predetermined reference values and iii) concluding that the subject will not respond to the treatment when the percent of CD8+ T cells co-expressing PD-1 and Tim-3 is higher than its corresponding predetermined reference value or concluding that the subject will respond to the treatment when the percent of CD8+ T cells co-expressing PD-1 and Tim-3 is lower than its corresponding predetermined reference value, and,
• iii) administrating a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors if the subject is identified as a non-responder.

(canceled)