Clear Type Renal Cell Carcinoma Research Articles

Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasizing to the Cricoid Cartilage Presenting With Subglottic Stenosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A 72-year-old Japanese man with a 4-month history of hoarseness and 1-week history of difficulty breathing was admitted to our department. He underwent right total nephrectomy for primary clear cell-type renal cell carcinoma (RCC) 6 years ago and left partial nephrectomy for the metastasis 4 years ago. Flexible laryngeal fiberscope examination revealed bilateral subglottic stenosis without obvious mucosal lesions. Enhanced computerized tomography (CT) scan of the neck revealed that the cricoid cartilage had become bilaterally expansive and tumorous lesion exhibiting enhancement. We performed tracheostomy on the appointed day and biopsied the tumor in the cricoid cartilage via the skin incision. Results of histologic and immunohistologic examinations for AE1/AE3, CD10, and vimentin positivity were consistent with clear cell-type RCC. Chest and abdomen CT scans revealed a few tiny metastases in the upper lobe of the left lung but no recurrence in the abdomen. At 2 weeks from the day of tracheostomy, total laryngectomy was performed. Postoperatively, the patient was treated transorally with axitinib (10 mg/day) and as of 12 months he remains alive with unchanging lung metastasis. Next-generation sequencing of targeted regions using a surgical specimen from the tumor revealed a frameshift mutation in the von Hippel-Lindau gene (p.T124Hfs*35) and a missense mutation in the TP53 gene (p.H193R).

Machine learning based prediction for oncologic outcomes of renal cell carcinoma after surgery using Korean Renal Cell Carcinoma (KORCC) database

We developed a novel prediction model for recurrence and survival in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after surgery and a novel statistical method of machine learning (ML) to improve accuracy in predicting outcomes using a large Asian nationwide dataset, updated KOrean Renal Cell Carcinoma (KORCC) database that covered data for a total of 10,068 patients who had received surgery for RCC. After data pre-processing, feature selection was performed with an elastic net. Nine variables for recurrence and 13 variables for survival were extracted from 206 variables. Synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) was used for the training data set to solve the imbalance problem. We applied the most of existing ML algorithms introduced so far to evaluate the performance. We also performed subgroup analysis according to the histologic type. Diagnostic performances of all prediction models achieved high accuracy (range, 0.77–0.94) and F1-score (range, 0.77–0.97) in all tested metrics. In an external validation set, high accuracy and F1-score were well maintained in both recurrence and survival. In subgroup analysis of both clear and non-clear cell type RCC group, we also found a good prediction performance.

Clear cell type renal carcinoma with sarcomatous differentiation, a rare indication for total gastrectomy

Clear cell type renal carcinoma with sarcomatous differentiation, a rare indication for total gastrectomy

Case Report: A rare case of renal-type clear cell carcinoma of the prostate

Renal-type clear cell carcinoma (RTCCC) of the prostate is a rare form of kidney cancer that is infrequently reported in the literature. Here we describe the case of an 81-year-old male patient with a hard, immovable mass on his enlarged prostate, which was discovered through a digital rectal examination. His prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 23.01 ng/ml, and bone multi-slice computed tomography scans revealed several osteoblastic lesions on the inferior ramus of his bilateral pubic bone. Tissue recovered during the trans urethral resection of the prostate was indicative of RTCCC with typical prostatic adenocarcinoma (Gleason score 3 + 4 = 7). Concerning treatment course, bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy was chosen over medical hormonal therapy. Upon follow-up 12 months post-surgery, his lower urinary tract symptoms were nearly resolved and his serum PSA level had decreased to 3.2 ng/ml. Accurate RTCCC diagnosis remains a pressing concern that warrants further investigation to optimize treatment selection and patient outcome.

Renal Cell Carcinoma with Polycythemia

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal tumor and participates in about 80-85%of primary renal tumors. It is usually diagnosed incidentally during the evaluation for othermedical problems; or it may be presented with gross hematuria, loin mass or pain. However, itinfrequently presents as a paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) which includes, hypertension, hypercalcemia, and abnormal liver function. A 75-year-old gentleman presented with an incidentalleft renal mass following the evaluation of the left loin pain with headache and dizziness. Thepatient had a history of hypertension for 10 years on control medical therapy and no history ofsmoking or chronic obstructive airway disease. The complete blood picture was showed a markedelevation in hemoglobin 21.7 g/dl and hematocrit level 65%. Ultrasound was showed left renalmass and a computerized tomography scan was showed the enhancement in the left renal masspicture suggestive of RCC. After phlebotomy of 2 units of blood, the patient underwent radicalnephrectomy, then the histopathology was reported clear cell type RCC Fuhrman nuclear gradingsystem II. At 2 months following surgery, the patient’s hemoglobin level and hematocrit werereturned to normal. The pathogenesis of PNS may be due to an abnormal immune system responseto a cancerous cell. There is a wide range of the PNS concerning RCC including non-specificconstitutional features for example; cachexia, weight loss, and fever, and specific metabolic andbiochemical disorders (i.e. hypercalcemia, non-metastatic hepatic dysfunction, amyloidosis, etc.).PNS is often unrecognized but polycythemia should be considered important biomarkers in RCC,therefore, it can be used as a tumor marker in the diagnosis and follow-up of the patient after surgery.

Recurrent Cutaneous Metastasis of Clear Cell Type Renal Cell Carcinoma: Case Report

Cutaneous metastases of internal malignancies are rare events occurring rather late in the primary tumors' progression. We are reporting a recurrent case of cutaneous metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a 70-year old male present with a nodular lesion on the scalp, who underwent surgical treatment and histopathological diagnosis at the Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center in Haifa, Israel. The patient had consequently twice in his history similar cutaneous lesions on the scalp which were histologically proved to be clear cell type RCC (classic and eosinophilic variant). The currently excised tumor was an oval white dense lobulated, well-demarcated lesion, up to 2 cm in diameter, in the subcutis, without epidermal involvement. The histopathologic findings consisted of atypical cells, arranged in an organoid pattern, with irregularly distributed eosinophilic cytoplasmic granularity. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were found positive for CD10, PAX8, EMA, and vimentin, which is consistent with cutaneous metastatic RCC, conventional (clear cell) variant with eosinophilic features. Revision of the histopathologic material from the previous surgeries of the same patient revealed even higher-graded metastatic RCC comparing with the current one. Our reported case and the revised previous one, as well as medical literature data, reflect dissemination of the primary clear sell type RCC and its characteristic metastatic dermatotropism. However, its recurrent metastases, especially to the same body area, are still to be gathered and studied further to make a statistically relevant conclusion about their prognostic value.

Prospective observational study on pazopanib in patients treated for advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC): APOLON Study.

629 Background: Pazopanib (PZP), has been granted for advanced or metastatic RCC. In addition to pivotal clinical trials, real-world evidence (RWE) is required to evaluate effectiveness and safety in clinical routine practices. Methods: APOLON is a non-interventional, multicentric prospective study to assess PZP Progression-Free Survival (PFS) (8-month PFS rate as primary endpoint), Overall Survival (OS), Objective Response Rate (ORR), tolerability, subsequent post-pazopanib therapy sequences. It is conducted in France with 55 sites (hospital or private practitioners) in patients with mRCC, naïve to anti-VEGF therapy, who initiated PZP treatment. Data are collected at baseline and at 1, 2-3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 months (mo). Patients (n= 218) were recruited from Nov 2017 to Jan 2019. This interim analysis presents results 6 months after last patient was enrolled. Results: Patients were 71,1% males, with a median age of 69.6 years. They had clear-cell type RCC for 97.7% with a favourable (26.4%), intermediate (52.9%) or poor (20.7%) IMDC risk score. Comorbidities were: hypertension (75.1%), diabetes (26%), arterial disorders (20.1%), other pathologies (47.3%); 81.7% received co-medications. ECOG-PS was 0 (42.9%), 1 (40%), 2 (15.7%), Metastases were mainly located in lungs (62.8%), bones (28.9%), mediastinal (17.9%)/abdominal (17%) lymph nodes, glands (pancreas, thyroid, adrenals) (17.4%). Of them, 56% had an history of partial/total nephrectomy, 28.1% previous local treatments for metastases. Median PFS, assessed by investigator, was 11.3 mo (95%CI: 8.7-13), with an 8-mo PFS rate at 62.9%. ORR was 47.2% and 1-year OS rate was 71.2%. Treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in 17.3% of patients. No new safety signal was identified. After a median follow-up of 8.8 mo, of the 121 patients with discontinuation, 74 received post-PZP lines comprising firstly nivolumab (67.6%), cabozantinib (16.2%), sunitinib (10.8%), other (5.6%). Conclusions: APOLON study represents real-life population including elderly and frail patients with clinically meaningful ORR and PFS with PZP. Reported adverse events were consistent with known safety PZP profile.

Synchronous urothelial carcinoma of renal pelvis and ipsilateral renal cell carcinoma

The coexistence of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of renal pelvis and ipsilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is remarkably rare. We present a case of an 80-year-old male who was admitted with a history of the left flank pain, painless hematuria, and passage of blood clot in urine. Computerized tomography revealed a solid mass in the left renal pelvis extending into the calyces and renal parenchyma which gave an impression of UC of renal pelvis. Left nephroureterectomy was performed for tumor in renal pelvis, and histopathological examination showed an infiltrating high-grade papillary UC of the renal pelvis with an incidental clear cell type RCC in the renal parenchyma. This is a rare case of combined renal malignancies in the same kidney. There are only 52 cases reported in English language literature till 2017.

Neuropeptide Levels as well as Neprilysin Activity Decrease in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP), Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and Substance P (SP) are sensory neuropeptides which may alter cancer growth through modulation of chronic inflammation. We recently reported that SP suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis through neuroimmune modulation. These neuropeptides are hydrolyzed by Neprilysin (NEP) to bioactive fragments. Decreased activity of NEP was reported in clear cell and chromophobe type renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It is however not known how the levels of neuropeptides hydrolyzed with NEP changes in RCC. Decrease activity of SP and CGRP containing sensory nerve endings was previously reported to increase cancer metastasis in animal models. It is however not known how peptidergic nerve endings are altered in RCC. Hence we here evaluated the levels of neuronal and non-neuronal neuropeptides and NEP activity in RCC including papillary type as well as neighboring uninvolved kidney. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 57 patients undergoing radical nephrectomy and diagnosed with RCC. NEP activity, levels and expression were determined using flourogenic substrate, western blot and qPCR respectively in freshly-frozen tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses were also performed. Neuronal and non-neuronal levels of CGRP, SP and VIP levels were determined using two-step acetic acid extraction. Levels and activity of NEP were markedly decreased in RCC regardless of subtype. Similar levels of VIP were detected in first and second extractions. VIP levels were higher in clear cell and papillary RCC compared to nearby kidney tissue. VIP levels of neighboring kidney tissue of papillary type RCC was significantly lower compared to kidney samples from clear cell RCC. CGRP levels were higher in second extraction. Similar to VIP levels, CGRP levels of neighboring kidney tissue from clear cell and chromophobe type RCC was significantly lower compared to corresponding tumor samples, an effect observed in the second extraction. VIP and CGRP levels of nearby kidney tissue varied subtype dependently demonstrating that different subtypes of RCC alter their local environment differently. Furthermore NEP-induce hydrolysis of VIP creates selective VPAC-1 receptor agonist which has anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. Hence loss of NEP activity may prevent anti-tumoral effects of VIP on RCC.

MP85-10 IDENTIFICATION OF WDR20 AS A NEW TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENE PREFERENTIALLY ALTERED IN HIGH-GRADE CLEAR CELL RENAL CELL CARCINOMA.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There are more than 200,000 cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) each year in the world, accounting for approximately 2% of all cancers. RCC clear cell type (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of RCC and accounts for 75 to 80% of the cases with highest rates of local invasion, development of metastasis and mortality. New target therapy is based on antiangiogenic antibodies and molecules, changing the course of the disease, but the results so far are disappointing. Our aim is to study miRNAs and their target genes related to angiogenesis in ccRCC trying to bring some new knowledge to the molecular pathways related to the disease METHODS: The expression levels of miRNAs miR-99a, 99b, 100; 199a; 106a; 106b; 29a; 29b; 29c; 126; 200a, 200b and their respective target genes: mTOR, HIF1-a, VHL, PDGF, VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were evaluated using qRT-PCR.in snap-frozen tumor tissue samples from 56 patients diagnosed with ccRCC and 5 samples of benign renal tissue as control. The results were related to tumor size, Fuhrman nuclear grade and microvascular invasion, considering the risk criteria proposed by Dall’Oglio et al. (2007). RESULTS: We found an underexpression of the most genes except the VEGFA and PDGF, while the analysis of miRNAs showed underexpression only the miR 199a, 100 and 126. We compared the expression of genes with their possible regulatory miRNAs, and we found that mTOR was underexpressed while miR99a was overexpressed in most samples. This relationship also occurs between VEGFA and miR126 and between miRNAs 106a, 106b, and their target gene VHL. Considering the risk groups the overexpression of miR200b was associated with high-risk patients (p 1⁄4 0.01) and the overexpression of miR126 was associated with lower Fuhrman grade (I-II) (p 1⁄4 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that in ccRCC there is an unbalance in the expression of genes and miRNAs related to angiogenesis and cell proliferation and survival. Furthermore with our findings we can speculate the role of miR200b and miR126 in the prognostic of ccRCC. We believe that the relationship between miRNAs and their respective genes should be more profoundly searched as markers and possible therapeutic agents in this neoplasia.

MP85-11 GENETIC DELETION OF SAV1 ENHANCES PROLIFERATION AND NUCLEAR IRREGULARITY IN RENAL TUBULAR EPITHELIAL CELLS

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There are more than 200,000 cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) each year in the world, accounting for approximately 2% of all cancers. RCC clear cell type (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of RCC and accounts for 75 to 80% of the cases with highest rates of local invasion, development of metastasis and mortality. New target therapy is based on antiangiogenic antibodies and molecules, changing the course of the disease, but the results so far are disappointing. Our aim is to study miRNAs and their target genes related to angiogenesis in ccRCC trying to bring some new knowledge to the molecular pathways related to the disease METHODS: The expression levels of miRNAs miR-99a, 99b, 100; 199a; 106a; 106b; 29a; 29b; 29c; 126; 200a, 200b and their respective target genes: mTOR, HIF1-a, VHL, PDGF, VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were evaluated using qRT-PCR.in snap-frozen tumor tissue samples from 56 patients diagnosed with ccRCC and 5 samples of benign renal tissue as control. The results were related to tumor size, Fuhrman nuclear grade and microvascular invasion, considering the risk criteria proposed by Dall’Oglio et al. (2007). RESULTS: We found an underexpression of the most genes except the VEGFA and PDGF, while the analysis of miRNAs showed underexpression only the miR 199a, 100 and 126. We compared the expression of genes with their possible regulatory miRNAs, and we found that mTOR was underexpressed while miR99a was overexpressed in most samples. This relationship also occurs between VEGFA and miR126 and between miRNAs 106a, 106b, and their target gene VHL. Considering the risk groups the overexpression of miR200b was associated with high-risk patients (p 1⁄4 0.01) and the overexpression of miR126 was associated with lower Fuhrman grade (I-II) (p 1⁄4 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that in ccRCC there is an unbalance in the expression of genes and miRNAs related to angiogenesis and cell proliferation and survival. Furthermore with our findings we can speculate the role of miR200b and miR126 in the prognostic of ccRCC. We believe that the relationship between miRNAs and their respective genes should be more profoundly searched as markers and possible therapeutic agents in this neoplasia.

RandomizEd phase II trial of Sunitinib four weeks on and two weeks off versus Two weeks on and One week off in metastatic clear-cell type REnal cell carcinoma: RESTORE trial

BackgroundThe standard sunitinib schedule, 4 weeks on, followed by 2 weeks off (4/2 schedule), is associated with troublesome toxicities, and maintenance of adequate sunitinib dosing and drug levels, which are essential for achieving an optimal treatment outcome, is challenging. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of an alternative sunitinib dosing schedule of 2 weeks on and 1 week off (2/1 schedule) compared with the standard sunitinib schedule of 4 weeks on and 2 weeks off (4/2 schedule). Patients and methodsIn this multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase II trial, treatment-naïve patients with clear-cell type metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) were randomly assigned to 4/2 or 2/1 schedules after stratification by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center risk group and the presence or absence of measurable lesions. The primary end point was the 6-month failure-free survival (FFS) rate, determined by intention-to-treat analysis. ResultsFrom November 2007 to February 2014, 76 patients were accrued, and 74 were eligible. FFS rates at 6 months were 44% with the 4/2 schedule (N = 36) and 63% with the 2/1 schedule (N = 38). Neutropenia (all grades, 61% versus 37%; grade 3–4, 28% versus 11%) and fatigue (all grades, 83% versus 58%) were more frequently observed with schedule 4/2. There was a strong tendency toward a lower incidence of stomatitis, hand–foot syndrome, and rash with schedule 2/1. Objective response rates (ORRs) were 47% in schedule 2/1 and 36% in schedule 4/2. With a median follow-up of 30.0 months, the median time to progression (TTP) was 12.1 months in schedule 2/1 and 10.1 months in schedule 4/2. ConclusionSunitinib administered with a 2/1 schedule is associated with less toxicity and higher FFS at 6 months than a 4/2 schedule, without compromising the efficacy in terms of ORR and TTP (NCT00570882).

Renal-type clear cell carcinoma of the prostate: A case report.

Renal-type clear cell carcinoma of the prostate is a rare and novel tumor that has only been identified in recent years. The present study describes a lesion in the prostate of a 64-year-old male with a two-year history of urinary frequency, urgency and difficulty, who was admitted to the San Ai Tang Hospital for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and subsequently underwent transurethral resection of the prostate. In total, 12 g of tissue was resected, which demonstrated morphological and immunohistochemical similarities to clear cell carcinoma of the kidney. Ultrasound inspection and computed tomography revealed prostate enlargement. Although no renal-enclosed mass was identified, metastatic lesions were revealed in the lungs, sternum and clavicles. In addition, right pleural thickening and a small amount of effusion in the pleural cavity were detected. Clear cell carcinoma was identified throughout the prostate, with surrounding regions of ordinary-type prostatic adenocarcinoma (Gleason score, 4+4). The urinary bladder exhibited no dysplasia or neoplasia. It was therefore concluded that the tumor represented a primary renal-type clear cell carcinoma that had arisen in the prostate. To the best of our knowledge, this type of extra-renal tumor has only been reported in three other previous studies.

Can Mutations in the BAP1 Gene be Detected by Immunohisto-chemistry in Hereditary Kidney Cancers?

Background: Hereditary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) constitutes about 5% of all RCCs. The most common and well studied syndromes include, VHL, HLRCC, BHD, Familial Oncocytoma, RCC Papillary Type 1, TSC, RCC associated with Succinate dehydrogenase B (SHDB) mutations and others. Several genes, including VHL, MET, FLCN, FH and genes encoding the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunits B/C/D have been identified as causative. However, the genetic basis of a significant percentage of familial RCC, some with clear cell morphology remain unknown. BAP1 (BRCA1 associated protein-1), a tumor suppressor gene that encodes a nuclear deubiquitinase, is inactivated in 15% of sporadic clear cell RCCs and its loss was associated with high tumor grade and poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated the possible role of this gene in the spectrum of RCC part of hereditary syndromes. Materials and Methods: To elucidate the role of BAP1 in all the spectrum of hereditary RCC, we studied by IHC a panel of RCCs which covers the spectrum of kidney cancers and included 10 VHL tumors, 6 HLRCCs, 8 chromophobe, 5 Hereditary Papillary Type 1, 6 Oncocytomas, 3 BHD (hybrid), and 24 sporadic clear cell RCCs. To analyze the BAP1 expression in these tumors, formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues were immunostained with mouse monoclonal anti-human BAP1 antibody (Clone C-4, Santa Cruz). Results: We found that all the tumors except two showed positive nuclear staining for BAP1. The two negative cases that were negative for BAP1 were Clear cell type and belonged to two siblings. Molecular analysis in a prepublished study showed both patients harboring the p.L14H mutation. Conclusion: Our study supports the hypothesis that BAP1 mutations can play a role in hereditary syndromes predominantly in clear cell tumors. Staining for BAP1 should be done when there is no definite known mutation in a clear cell cancer but the patient gives history of familial kidney cancer. The two related patients who had similar mutations had aggressive, metastatic disease, which suggests that probably BAP1 does play a role in hereditary RCC clear cell type.

Predictive role of tissue-based molecular markers in patients treated with sunitinib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

We analyzed the clinicopathological data of patients undergoing radical nephrectomy for clear cell type renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who presented with metastasis and were subsequently treated with sunitinib and identified molecular markers in nephrectomy specimens to predict susceptibility to sunitinib. The medical records of 65 patients who underwent nephrectomy for metastatic clear cell type RCC and were then treated with sunitinib were reviewed. The nephrectomy specimens were subjected to prospective immunohistochemical staining for vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), platelet-derived growth factor-B, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β expression. In 58 evaluable patients, the median value of initial and best overall response was -9.69 and -24.04 %, respectively. VEGFR-2 expression was associated significantly with initial and best overall responses to sunitinib, along with Karnofsky performance status and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center prognostic risk group. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that strong VEGFR-2 expression was positively associated with the best reduction in tumor response (β = -0.275, P = 0.016) and poor Karnofsky performance status was negatively associated it (β = 0.477, P < 0.001). Karnofsky performance status and retroperitoneal lymph node involvement associated independently with progression-free- and overall survivals. None of the molecular markers associated significantly with survival. VEGFR-2 expression might be a useful biomarker for predicting the response to sunitinib by patients with metastatic RCC. Karnofsky performance status and retroperitoneal lymph node involvement were predictive of disease progression and death.

Regression of established renal cell carcinoma in nude mice using lentivirus-transduced human T cells expressing a human anti-CAIX chimeric antigen receptor

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a tumor-associated antigen and marker of hypoxia that is overexpressed on > 90% of clear-cell type renal cell carcinoma (RCC) but not on neighboring normal kidney tissue. Here, we report on the construction of two chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that utilize a carbonic anhydrase (CA) domain mapped, human single chain antibody (scFv G36) as a targeting moiety but differ in their capacity to provide costimulatory signaling for optimal T cell proliferation and tumor cell killing. The resulting anti-CAIX CARs were expressed on human primary T cells via lentivirus transduction. CAR-transduced T cells (CART cells) expressing second-generation G36-CD28-TCRζ exhibited more potent in vitro antitumor effects on CAIX+ RCC cells than first-generation G36-CD8-TCRζ including cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion, proliferation, and clonal expansion. Adoptive G36-CD28-TCRζ CART cell therapy combined with high-dose interleukin (IL)-2 injection also lead to superior regression of established RCC in nude mice with evidence of tumor cell apoptosis and tissue necrosis. These results suggest that the fully human G36-CD28-TCRζ CARs should provide substantial improvements over first-generation mouse anti-CAIX CARs in clinical use through reduced human anti-mouse antibody responses against the targeting scFv and administration of lower doses of T cells during CART cell therapy of CAIX+ RCC.

Cooperation and Antagonism among Cancer Genes: The Renal Cancer Paradigm

It is poorly understood how driver mutations in cancer genes work together to promote tumor development. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) offers a unique opportunity to study complex relationships among cancer genes. The four most commonly mutated genes in RCC of clear-cell type (the most common type) are two-hit tumor suppressor genes, and they cluster in a 43-Mb region on chromosome 3p that is deleted in approximately 90% of tumors: VHL (mutated in ∼80%), PBRM1 (∼50%), BAP1 (∼15%), and SETD2 (∼15%). Meta-analyses that we conducted show that mutations in PBRM1 and SETD2 co-occur in tumors at a frequency higher than expected by chance alone, indicating that these mutations may cooperate in tumorigenesis. In contrast, consistent with our previous results, mutations in PBRM1 and BAP1 tend to be mutually exclusive. Mutation exclusivity analyses (often confounded by lack of statistical power) raise the possibility of functional redundancy. However, mutation exclusivity may indicate negative genetic interactions, as proposed herein for PBRM1 and BAP1, and mutations in these genes define RCC with different pathologic features, gene expression profiles, and outcomes. Negative genetic interactions among cancer genes point toward broader context dependencies of cancer gene action beyond tissue dependencies. An enhanced understanding of cancer gene dependencies may help to unravel vulnerabilities that can be exploited therapeutically.

A huge renal cell carcinoma: Case report and literature review

In the current era, because of the prevalence of sonography, renal cell carcinoma usually can be detected in the early stages and a huge tumor is rarely encountered. Recently, we found a huge clear cell-type renal cell carcinoma that weighed approximately 2.7 kg, which is very rare.

Multifocal Capillary Hemangioma-Like Vascular Proliferation of the Kidney Associated With Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

We report the case of a 69-year-old man who underwent a radical left nephrectomy for a renal mass. Microscopically, the features were those of a clear cell-type renal cell carcinoma associated with 2 foci of capillary hemangioma-like vascular proliferation in the adjacent renal parenchyma. The main differential diagnosis and the possible pathogenesis of this vascular lesion are discussed.

Targeted Therapy in the Management of Elderly Patients with Pancreatic Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background: The pancreas is an uncommon but recognizable site for metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Isolated pancreatic RCC metastases are still rarer and often present years after initial nephrectomy. Surgical resection has been the treatment of choice because of superior patient survival compared with traditional immunotherapy. In recent years, the advent of targeted therapy has transformed the outcomes of patients with metastatic RCC although little evidence is available on its effectiveness on this subset of patients. We report our experience of 6 patients with pancreatic RCC metastases. Patients and Methods: Between 2007 and 2012, 6 patients (2 men, 4 women; median age 78 years) were diagnosed to have pancreatic RCC metastases at our institute. The clinical features, treatment and outcomes were examined. Results: All 6 patients had a primary RCC of clear cell type. The median interval between initial curative nephrectomy and re-presentation with pancreatic metastases was 12.5 years. Four patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, one presented with obstructive jaundice and another with acute gastrointestinal bleed. Four patients had extra-pancreatic disease. All were deemed unsuitable or unfit for surgical metastasectomy. Five patients had a Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) score of 1 (moderate risk) and the other patient had a score of 0 (good risk). Two patients were commenced on Sunitinib, one received Pazopanib and one received Temsirolimus. Two patients did not undergo further treatment. Of the 4 patients who underwent targeted therapy, the median follow up was 33 months with a median progression free survival of 16 months. One achieved complete response but recurred soon after treatment was stopped. Targetted therapy was recommenced and the disease remained stable. A second patient had long period of stable disease before disease progression. A third achieved partial response since started on targeted therapy and a fourth had disease progression despite treatment. Of the four patients who underwent systemic therapy, three are still alive at the time of this report. Conclusion: Pancreatic metastasis from RCC is a unique subgroup of disease which runs an indolent course, and a higher incidence in an elderly population. Our results demonstrate that targeted therapy can be efficacious in some patients where surgical resection is not suitable or possible.