Methods for treating renal cancer by administration of certain 3,3&prime；,4,4&prime；-tetrahydroxy-2,2&prime；-bipyridine-N,N&prime；-dioxide compounds, especially 3,3&prime；,4,4&prime；-tetrahydroxy-2,2&prime；-bipyridine-N,N&prime；-dioxide (Orellanine), conjugated to an alpha-emitting radionuclide (e.g. Astatine-211) to increase the efficacy of the formulation and/or a large molecule (e.g. a oligomer/polymer such as a PEG or a polysaccharide such as a dextran or a Ficoll®) to reduce the filtration and consequently the renal exposure. Particular administration protocols and dosing regimens, as well as pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the treatment methods can be used.
