This review summarizes epidemiological data, molecular features of RCC, and the role of the von Hippel Lindau - Hypoxia Inducible Factor (VHL-HIF) signaling pathway in pathogenesis, alongside recent progress in characterizing possible antigen targets for vaccination such as TOP2A, NCF4, FMNL1, DOK3, MUC1, CAIX, CD70, and 5T4. Here, CA9 is linked to renal cell carcinoma.