Renal Cell Carcinoma Antigen Research Articles

The immunotherapy-based combination associated score as a robust predictor for outcome and response to combination of immunotherapy and VEGF inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma

BackgroundOver the past decade, the realm of immunotherapy-based combination therapy has witnessed rapid growth for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), however, success has been constrained thus far. This limitation primarily stems from the absence of biomarkers essential for identifying patients likely to derive benefits from such treatments. MethodsIn this study, the immunotherapy-based combination associated score (IBCS) was established using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) based on the genes identified in the key modules extracted by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) in the IMmotion151 dataset, a randomized, global phase III trial. ResultsHigh IBCS patients showed better responses to immunotherapy-based combinations and had longer progression-free survival (PFS). Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that IBCS was negatively correlated to TIDE score, identifying a subset of RCC patients characterized by enrichment of T-effector and moderate cell-cycle/angiogenesis gene expression. Our analysis of hub genes unveiled a novel molecule that could potentially serve as a target antigen in RCC. Validation through multiplex immunofluorescence assays on tissue microarrays (TMAs) containing 180 samples confirmed the pivotal role of this hub gene in immunoregulation. Furthermore, we developed an independent risk score model, which is significant for prognostic evaluation and patient stratification. Notably, we devised a forecasting nomogram using this risk score model, surpassing the IMDC score (a widely accepted risk score for predicting survival in patients undergoing VEGF-targeted therapy) in prognostic accuracy for patients treated with immunotherapy-based combinations. ConclusionThis study has collectively developed an immunotherapy-based combination associated score, pinpointed effective biomarkers for prognostic and responsiveness of kidney cancer patients to immunotherapy-based combinations, and delved into their potential biological mechanisms, offering promising targets for further exploration.

Identification of tumor-antigen signatures and immune subtypes for messenger RNA vaccine selection in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma

BackgroundAdvanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma still lacks reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Recently, tumor vaccines targeting specific molecules have been proposed as a promising treatment in mitigating tumor progression, which was rekindled under the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the application of messenger RNA vaccine against advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma antigens remains stagnant, and no subgroup of patients deemed suitable for vaccination has been extensively studied or validated. Our study aims to explore novel advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma antigen signatures to select suitable patients for vaccination. MethodsGene expression profiles of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma samples and their corresponding clinical data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model was applied to develop signatures to stratify patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to compare the prognostic accuracy of each factor. Tumor Immune Estimation Resource was used to visualize the relationship between the proportion of antigen-presenting cells and the expression of filtered genes. The "CIBERSORT" and "WGCNA" R Packages were employed to ascertain disparities in immune infiltration levels between advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma subgroups. The Search Tools for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database and Cytoscape were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network. CCK-8 and colony formation assays were included in the invitro experiment. ResultsIn total, 244 potential tumor antigens were identified. Using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression, 21 tumor antigens were selected for developing a risk evaluation signature. The risk score signature can be a useful tool to predict the outcome of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients. According to the differential clinical, molecular, and immune-related genes, we divided advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients into the immune “cold” subtype and immune “hot” subtype. By developing a logistic score, the immune subtype signature can better distinguish a patient more likely to be immune “cold” subtype or immune “hot” subtype.Interestingly, patients with high risk scores had a higher proportion of immune “hot” subtype than those with a low risk score. Furthermore, the prognostic value was significantly improved when combining risk score and immune subtype. Distinct immune landscapes and signal pathways were observed between different tumor subtypes. Finally, novel tumor antigens related to oxidative stress were identified. ConclusionThe tumor-antigens–based risk score and immune subtype signatures identified potentially effective neo-antigens for advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma messenger RNA vaccine development, and patients with low risk scores and immune “cold” subtype tumors are more prone to benefit from messenger RNA vaccination. Furthermore, our study highlights the significant role of oxidative stress in determining the efficacy of the messenger RNA vaccine.

Antigenic targets in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the management of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but most patients still do not receive a long-term benefit from these therapies, and many experience off-target, immune-related adverse effects. RCC is also different from many other ICI-responsive tumors, as it has only a modest mutation burden, and total neoantigen load does not correlate with ICI response. In order to improve the efficacy and safety of immunotherapies for RCC, it is therefore critical to identify the antigens that are targeted in effective anti-tumor immunity. In this review, we describe the potential classes of target antigens, and provide examples of previous and ongoing efforts to investigate and target antigens in RCC, with a focus on clear cell histology. Ultimately, we believe that a concerted antigen discovery effort in RCC will enable an improved understanding of response and resistance to current therapies, and lay a foundation for the future development of "precision" antigen-directed immunotherapies.

Vascular Expression of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) in MiTF Family Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma and Related Neoplasms.

Multiple studies have demonstrated prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression in the neo-vasculature of non-prostate tumors including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, PSMA expression in rare renal tumors including MiTF family translocation renal cell carcinoma has not been previously characterized. We examined PSMA expression by immunohistochemistry in a series of MiTF family translocation renal cell carcinomas as well as in several genetically related tumors including alveolar soft part sarcoma and PEComas with TFE3 rearrangements. PSMA expression was also studied in several cases of ccRCC and papillary RCC. Overall, PSMA immunohistochemistry was performed in 61 samples from 58 patients. Vascular PSMA expression was seen with the highest frequency in ccRCC [88% (14/16)] (38% focal, 50% diffuse). Translocation RCC (tRCC) demonstrated the second highest frequency of PSMA expression [71% (22/28)] (57% focal, 14% diffuse), followed by alveolar soft part sarcoma [50% (4/8)] (38% focal, 12% diffuse). No PSMA expression was seen in PEComas with TFE3 rearrangement (0/3) or papillary RCC (0/6). PSMA expression was only present in tumor-associated neo-vasculature. A patient with oligometastatic tRCC underwent 68 Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging which detected multiple putative metastatic lesions not detected on conventional computed tomography imaging performed 2 weeks prior, supporting the potential utility of PSMA imaging in tRCC. These findings have potential implications for the utility of PSMA guided diagnostic and therapeutic agents in both common and uncommon renal cell carcinoma subtypes as well as genetically related mesenchymal neoplasms.

A Listeria-based vaccine targeting ISG15 exerts anti-tumor efficacy in renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the deadliest form of urological cancer and is projected to be the fourth most common neoplasm in the USA in males by 2040. In addition to the current poor prognosis with 5-year survival rates hardly reaching 15%, the prevalence of resistance to currently available systemic therapies has also established an urgent need to develop new treatment regimen(s) for advanced RCC. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is the first identified ubiquitin-like modifier and has been intensively studied for its central role in innate immunity against intracellular pathogens. However, in this study, we identified ISG15 as a novel tumor-associated antigen and prognostic marker in RCC. Further, we therapeutically targeted elevated ISG15 expression by means of a Listeria monocytogenes (Lm)-based vaccine, designated Lm-LLO-ISG15, in both subcutaneous and orthotopic RCC mouse models. Treatment with Lm-LLO-ISG15 resulted in an influx of tumor-infiltrating effector T cells and significant anti-tumor efficacy in both subcutaneous and orthotopic RCC tumor models. Treatment with Lm-LLO-ISG15 also generated a robust interferon-gamma response and attracted a larger pool of polyfunctional T cells into the tumor microenvironment. Importantly, the therapeutic efficacy of Lm-LLO-ISG15 in RCC is comparable to that of anti-PD-1 and sunitinib, the current frontline therapies for RCC patients. Collectively, our work illustrates that targeting ISG15 in RCC with a CTL-based immunotherapy such as Lm-LLO-ISG15 is a promising and potentially translatable therapeutic strategy to enhance survival in RCC patients.

S1766 Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer with Pancreatic Mass

Introduction: Pancreas is an uncommon site of metastatic disease. Almost 63% of pancreatic metastasis arise from renal cell cancer. We report a case of metastatic renal cell cancer to pancreas, with contralateral adrenal metastasis 15 years after a radical nephrectomy. Case Description/Methods: 61 years old man with past medical history of renal cell cancer, status post left radical nephrectomy fifteen years ago, presented with dull pain in right lower abdominal for one day. He denied any other abdominal symptoms or weight loss. He smokes up to half a pack of cigarettes daily. His examination was unremarkable but he was noted to have elevated lipase (213U/L) and a bilirubin of 1.1 mg%. On computer tomography abdomen he had bulky, enhancing, soft tissue mass (∼6.7 cm), with dilated pancreatic duct of 1.5 cm with right adrenal mass (Figure). On EUS, the lesion appeared well circumscribed and previously known pancreatic duct dilation was seen. Fine needle biopsy of the mass, which showed numerous atypical cells with round irregular nuclei with prominent nucleoli with clear cytoplasm suggestive of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (Figure). On immune -histochemistry, the tumor was positive for CD10, renal cell carcinoma antigen and PAX 8( Figure) Discussion: Metachronous renal cell cancer to pancreas fifteen years after radial nephrectomy is rare. Our patient had pancreatic metastasis with adrenal involvement and presented with vague abdominal symptoms. .He was noted to have elevated lipase and dilation of main pancreatic duct. Due to a remote history of nephrectomy and the presenting complaints, pancreatic primary was suspected. However, on endoscopic ultrasound the patient was noted to have a well circumscribed lesion in the head of pancreas with dilated pancreatic duct(Figure). Regular borders and absence of pancreatic duct dilation suggested metastatic disease. Our patient had well circumscribed lesion but with a dilated duct. Most pancreatic metastasis are reported to occur within 10 years after treatment of the primary disease but our patient had metastasis fifteen years later without any loco-regional recurrence. Endoscopic ultrasound is extremely important and allows to evaluate the extent of the disease, involvement of portal vein/ superior mesenteric artery, presence of enlarged lymph nodes, which are a must for evaluating the surgical candidature besides providing tissue diagnosis which helped us establish the diagnosis of metastasis.Figure 1.: CT(A,B,C) and EUS(D,E) findings. Image A shows the mass in the Pancreatic head(arrow with red head) with a dilated pancreatic duct seen in imageB( arrow with red head). Adrenal metastasis is seen in image C marked with a red arrow. On EUS, the mass appears well circumscribed( blue arrow, image D) with dilated pancreatic duct seen ( green arrow) in the head of pancreas in E.

Nodular fungating tumor on the posterior shoulder

A 57-year-old man with a history of a left-sided radical nephrectomy and adrenalectomy 2 years earlier was being evaluated for an asymptomatic yellow-to-red fungating nodule on the right posterior shoulder that rapidly increased in size over a period of months (Fig 1). A shave biopsy was performed with histopathologic findings that included an ulcerated tumor composed of clusters of dermal clear cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and prominent extravasated red blood cells (Fig 2, A). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed positive staining with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) antigen, vimentin, and CAM 5.2 (Fig 2, B-D, respectively).

The prognostic value of galactosylceramide-sulfotransferase (Gal3ST1) in human renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the deadliest primary genitourinary malignancy typically associated with asymptomatic initial presentation and poorly predictable survival. Next to established risk factors, tumor microenvironment may alter metastatic capacity and immune landscape. Due to their high concentrations, sulfoglycolipids (sulfatides) were among the first well-described antigens in RCC that are associated with worse prognosis. As sulfatide detection in routine diagnostics is not possible, we aimed to test the prognostic value of its protein counterpart, sulfatide-producing enzyme Gal3ST1. We performed retrospective long-term follow up analysis of Gal3ST1 expression as prognostic risk factor in a representative RCC patient cohort. We observed differentially regulated Gal3ST1 expression in all RCC types, being significantly more associated with clear cell RCC than to chromophobe RCC (p = 0.001). Surprisingly, in contrast to published observations from in vitro models, we could not confirm an association between Gal3ST1 expression and a malignant clinical behaviour of the RCC. In our cohort, Gal3ST1 did not significantly influence progression-free survival (Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.7 95% CI (0.6–4.9), p = 0.327). Particularly after adjusting for histology, T-stage, N-status and M-status at baseline, we observed no independent prognostic effect (HR = 1.0 95% CI (0.3–3.3), p = 0.96). The analysis of Gal3ST1 mRNA expression in a TCGA dataset supported the results of our cohort. Thus, Gal3ST1 might help to differentiate between chromophobe RCC and other frequent RCC entities but—despite previously published data from cell culture models—does not qualify as a prognostic marker for RCC. Further investigation of regulatory mechanisms of sulfatide metabolism in human RCC microenvironment is necessary to understand the role of this quantitatively prominent glycosphingolipid in RCC progression.

Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 in renal cell carcinoma in eastern Indian patients

Background: Several molecular markers play important role in development and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 are such kind of molecular markers which may have prognostic significance in RCC and need to be studied about. Estimation of proliferation index by immunohistochemical expression analysis of PCNA and Ki-67 at different clinical stages of RCC samples and correlations of expression of the genes with different clinicopathological parameters between tumour tissue cells and adjacent normal tissue cells were the objectives.Methods: Thirty two patients of RCC who had been operated at one tertiary care institute of eastern India were taken for the study. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry analysis of PCNA and Ki-67 from tumour tissue and normal tissue were done. Patients who received radiotherapy, chemotherapy etc. before operation and who had benign tumours of the kidney in histopathological examination were excluded from the study.Results: Mean PCNA expression in normal renal tissue is 4.54%; whereas the clear cell RCC, papillary RCC and chromophobe RCC showed 49.81%, 50.75% and 66.50% of mean PCNA expression respectively. Mean expression of Ki-67 in normal tissues was 1.75%. Whereas the clear cell RCC, papillary RCC and chromophobe RCC showed 23.96%, 24.75% and 31% of mean Ki-67 expression respectively. Both molecular markers were positively correlated overall.Conclusions: PCNA and Ki-67 expression is increased in RCC when compared with normal tissues and it increases with Stage of RCC. PCNA expression is positively correlated with Ki-67 in different stages and histopathological groups of RCC.

Renal Cell Carcinoma Antigen Expression in Primary Cutaneous Endocrine Mucinous Carcinomas: A Case Series of 14 Patients and Review of the Literature

Endocrine mucin-producing sweat gland carcinoma (EMPSGC) and primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) are both uncommon low-grade cutaneous adnexal tumors with predilection for the eyelids of elderly women. Their clinical appearance is nonspecific, typically presenting as a slowly growing poorly circumscribed papule, nodule, plaque, or swelling. Histological features of EMPSGC include a lobulated dermal neoplasm with bland cytology and an invasive mucinous component in up to half of the cases. PCMC exhibits tumor nests suspended in abundant pools of mucin with focal strands or nests of tumor cells infiltrating the dermis. Because of their rarity and banal cytological features, both entities pose a risk for misdiagnosis with other benign/malignant cutaneous adnexal neoplasms. Histomorphological features can suggest a diagnosis of EMPSGC or PCMC, but immunohistochemistry is necessary for confirmation. A review of the literature showed variable results of antigens present in EMPSGC, and many of the positive markers only show sparse or focal immunoreactivity of tumor cells. As a result, diffusely positive markers play a crucial role in identification of these tumors, particularly with initial superficial biopsies. We present 9 cases of EMPSGC and 5 cases of PCMC with strong and diffuse immunoreactivity to renal cell carcinoma antigen. This novel finding can be useful in the diagnosis of EMPSGC and PCMC in combination with other known positive markers to differentiate them from other cutaneous neoplasms. In addition, it provides further evidence that EMPSGC could be a precursor lesion to PCMC with both existing on a spectrum.

Ovarian metastasis of renal cell carcinoma: Clinical and pathological presentation of a case.

A 82-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with complaints of weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and a palpable pelvic mass. Abdominal imaging revealed a tumour at the upper pole of the right kidney with a maximum diameter of 8 cm and a second tumour in the pelvis, mostly solid, with a maximum diameter of 16 cm, that seemed to originate from the left ovary. As she was initially considered to have two distinct tumours, through a single transabdominal incision, she simultaneously underwent right radical nephrectomy and also bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for the tumour that originated from the left ovary. Histopathological examination showed that the tumour in the right kidney was a clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (stage pT3a, Fuhrman grade 2). The ovarian tumour proved to be an ovarian fibroma that included a circumscribed focus with a diameter of 0.7 cm which was a metastasis from the kidney tumour. Immunohistochemistry contributed significantly to the diagnosis, as the focus showed strong and diffuse expression of CD10 and RCC antigen, which are reliable markers of RCC. With less than 30 reported cases in the literature, it is very important to differentiate ovarian metastasis of RCC from primary ovarian tumour due to different treatment alternatives and prognosis.

Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to the Gynecologic Tract: A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 17 Cases.

Clear cell renal cell carcinomas (CCRCC) rarely metastasizes to the gynecologic tract. In this study, we analyzed a multi-institutional data set to provide insights into the clinical, morphologic, and immunophenotypic features of this phenomenon. Seventeen metastatic CCRCC involving the gynecologic tract [ovary/fallopian tube (n=9), vulva (n=2), uterine corpus (n=3), cervix (n=2), uterine serosa (n=1)] were analyzed. Mean patient age was 62 yr (range: 45-79 yr). Most cases (15/17) presented as a recurrence 6 to 72 mo postnephrectomy, 1 case was concurrently diagnosed, and 1 case (a cervical metastasis) was diagnosed prenephrectomy. In 10 cases, metastases to other locations were identified within 6 wk of the gynecologic tract lesion. The adnexa were the most common site of metastases and the mean tumor size of adnexal metastases was 3.7 cm; in only 2 of 9 cases were metastases bilateral and only 1 had external surface nodules. The morphologic and immunohistochemical features of metastatic CCRCC were compared with those of 102 müllerian clear cell carcinomas (müllerian CCC: 49 endometrial, 53 ovarian). Although CCRCC and müllerian CCC displayed extensive morphologic overlap, a higher mitotic index and a higher frequency of an alveolar pattern were seen in CCRCC, whereas diffuse hobnail cells, hyaline globules, tubulocystic pattern, or any papillary pattern were more frequently seen in müllerian CCC. CA-IX, CD10, and renal cell carcinoma antigen were more frequently expressed in CCRCC than müllerian CCC, whereas Napsin-A, CK7, and p504S showed the reverse. PAX8 and HNF1β did not significantly distinguish between the 2 groups. In summary, gynecologic tract metastases most often occur as a relapse of a previously resected CCRCC, and these relapses may occur many years postnephrectomy. Gynecologic tract metastases are often accompanied by concurrent metastases to other organs. The gross pathology of metastatic CCRCC in the ovary may potentially overlap with primary neoplasia. However, the expected morphology and immunophenotype of CCRCC are maintained in most gynecologic tract metastases. As such, although metastatic CCRCC and müllerian CCC may display significant overlap in pathologic features, several morphologic and immunophenotypic features are useful in their distinction.

Pazopanib-associated posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with intracerebral haemorrhage

Pazopanib is a tyrosine kinase receptor antagonist used for renal cell carcinoma and soft tissue sarcoma that inhibits tumour growth and angiogenesis. A common side effect of pazopanib is hypertension....

Progression of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma via Inhibition of RhoA-ROCK Axis by PARG1

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most lethal urological malignancy with high risk of recurrence; thus, new prognostic biomarkers are needed. In this study, a new RCC antigen, PTPL1 associated RhoGAP1 (PARG1), was identified by using serological identification of recombinant cDNA expression cloning with sera from RCC patients. PARG1 protein was found to be differentially expressed in RCC cells among patients. High PARG1 expression is significantly correlated with various clinicopathological factors relating to cancer cell proliferation and invasion, including G3 percentage (P = .0046), Ki-67 score (p expression is also correlated with high recurrence of N0M0 patients (P = .0084) and poor prognosis in RCC patients (P = .0345). Multivariate analysis has revealed that high PARG1 expression is an independent factor for recurrence (P = .0149) of N0M0 RCC patients. In in vitro studies, depletion of PARG1by siRNA in human RCC cell lines inhibited their proliferation through inducing G1 cell cycle arrest via upregulation of p53 and subsequent p21Cip1/Waf1, which are mediated by increased RhoA-ROCK activities. Similarly, PARG1 depletion cells inhibited invasion ability via increasing RhoA-ROCK activities in the RCC cell lines. Conversely, overexpression of PARG1 on human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293T promotes its cell proliferation and invasion. These results indicate that PARG1 plays crucial roles in progression of human RCC in increasing cell proliferation and invasion ability via inhibition of the RhoA-ROCK axis, and PARG1 is a poor prognostic marker, particularly for high recurrence of N0M0 RCC patients.

HLA-E expression and its clinical relevance in human renal cell carcinoma.

The non-classical human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) expression is frequently overexpressed in tumor diseases, transplants and virus-infected cells and represents an immunomodulatory molecule by binding to the receptors CD94/NKG2A, -B and –C on NK and T cells. Due to its immune suppressive features HLA-E expression might represent an important mechanism of tumors to escape immune surveillance.While an aberrant expression of the non-classical HLA-G antigen in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been demonstrated to be associated with a worse outcome of patients and reduced sensitivity to immune effector cell-mediated cytotoxicity, the expression and function of HLA-E has not yet been analyzed in this tumor entity.Higher levels of HLA-E transcripts were detected in all RCC cell lines and tumor lesions, which were tested in comparison to normal kidney epithelium. Immunohistochemical staining of a tissue microarray (TMA) using the HLA-E-specific monoclonal antibody TFL-033 recognizing the cytoplasmic HLA-E α-chain as monomer revealed a heterogeneous HLA-E expression in RCC lesions with the highest frequency in chromophobe RCC when compared to other RCC subtypes. HLA-E expression did not correlate with the frequency of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and FoxP3+ immune cell infiltrations, but showed an inverse correlation with infiltrating CD56+ cells. In contrast to HLA-G, HLA-E expression in RCCs was not statistically significant associated with a decreased disease specific survival. These data suggest that HLA-E overexpression frequently occurs in RCC and correlates with reduced immunogenicity.

The expression and significance of proliferation cell nuclear antigen in renal cell carcinoma

Objective To explore the clinical significance of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (Ki-67) expression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Methods The immunohistochemistry staining method was used to evaluate the expression of Ki-67 in 70 cases of RCC and 30 cases of normal renal tissue as controls.Results The positive expression rate of Ki-67 was 64.29％ in RCC.The positive expression rate of Ki-67 in RCC was significantly related to the clinical stage or clinical grade (P ＜ 0.05),but not to the types of RCC (P ＞0.05).Conclusion Ki-67 is an objective marker to estimate the behaviors of RCC. Key words: Renal cell carcinoma; Proliferation cell nuclear antigen; Biological behavior

Fluorescence in situ hybridization as an adjunct tool in the diagnosis of primary and metastatic renal cell carcinoma in fine needle aspiration specimens

We investigated the role of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis of primary renal neoplasms and lesions suspicious for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Consecutive fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) of 39 renal masses and 41 metastatic tumours suspicious for renal cell origin were assessed with an immunohistochemical panel for CK7, RCC antigen, CD10, AMACR, PAX8, vimentin, and CD117. In addition, FISH was performed using probes for chromosomes 1p, 3p, 7, 17, X, and Y. A total of 31 of 39 primary renal masses and 33 of 41 metastatic tumors suspicious for renal origin demonstrated typical cytological and immunohistochemical (IHC) features of subtypes of renal neoplasms (40 clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 20 papillary RCC, and 4 renal oncocytomas). FISH analysis of 15 randomly selected cases each of primary and metastatic lesions revealed chromosomal abnormalities consistent with the diagnosis in 73% of these cases. Of 8 primary renal masses demonstrating atypical microscopic features and noncontributory IHC profiles, FISH was helpful in subtyping 5 (62%) of these lesions (2 clear cell RCC, 1 solid variant of oncocytic papillary RCC, 1 mixed clear cell and papillary RCC, and 1 chromophobe RCC with papillary architecture). Of 8 metastatic tumors clinically suspicious for renal cell origin and supportive, but nondiagnostic IHC, FISH revealed supportive chromosomal changes in 6 (75%) cases. In conclusion FISH analysis on FNAB material, even with limited tissue, may be contributory to the diagnosis and subtyping of RCC in diagnostically challenging biopsies.

High Expression of MICA in Human Kidney Cancer Tissue and Renal Cell Carcinoma Lines

The overall incidence and mortality of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common kidney cancer, are steadily increasing for reasons that are not fully explained. Our aim was to explore the expression of membrane MHC class I chain-related gene A (mMICA) in human RCC cell lines and tissue specimens, and to determine expression of soluble MICA (sMICA) in serum of patients with renal cell carcinoma, we used flow cytometry (FCM) and immunohistochemistry as well as an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . The results showed that percentage of mMICA expression was significantly increased in human kidney cancer tissues and RCC cell lines (786-O and Ketr-3) than that in healthy adults and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cell line individuality (P<0.05). sMICA content in healthy adults was negative, but in renal cancer patients was significantly elevated (P<0.05). Our research showed that high expression of MICA in human kidney cancer, this results show that MICA might serve as potential tumor-associated antigen (TAA) in RCC.

Durable Remission of Renal Cell Carcinoma in Conjuncture with Graft versus Host Disease following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation and Donor Lymphocyte Infusion: Rule or Exception?

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) followed by donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) can be applied as immunotherapeutic intervention to treat malignant diseases. Here, we describe a patient with progressive metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who was treated with T cell depleted non-myeloablative alloSCT and DLI resulting in disease regression accompanied by extensive graft versus host disease (GVHD). We characterized the specificity of this immune response, and detected a dominant T cell population recognizing a novel minor histocompatibility antigen (MiHA) designated LB-FUCA2-1V. T cells specific for LB-FUCA2-1V were shown to recognize RCC cell lines, supporting a dominant role in the graft versus tumor (GVT) reaction. However, coinciding with the gradual disappearance of chronic GVHD, the anti-tumor effect declined and 3 years after alloSCT the metastases became progressive again. To re-initiate the GVT reaction, escalating doses of DLI were given, but no immune response could be induced and the patient died of progressive disease 8.5 years after alloSCT. Gene expression studies illustrated that only a minimal number of genes shared expression between RCC and professional antigen presenting cells but were not expressed by non-malignant healthy tissues, indicating that in patients suffering from RCC, GVT reactivity after alloSCT may be unavoidably linked to GVHD.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma with a syncytial-type multinucleated giant tumor cell component: implications for differential diagnosis

A component of syncytial-type multinucleated tumor giant cells is uncommon in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and the histogenesis, incidence, and clinical implications of this finding are not well understood. We retrieved 13 such tumors from our pathology archives in patients with a median age of 60years, comprising 1.5% of clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Stage was typically pT4 or pT3 (each 38%). Microscopically, all tumors included a component of low-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma with usual features. Syncytial-type giant tumor cells possessed voluminous cytoplasm, usually granular and eosinophilic, and numerous nuclei similar to those of the mononuclear tumor cells. Transition between areas of mononuclear and multinucleated cells was sometimes abrupt. Other findings included necrosis (77%), hyaline globules (46%), emperipolesis (46%), and intranuclear cytoplasmic invaginations (23%). Immunohistochemical staining typically revealed both mononuclear and multinucleated cells to be positive for carbonic anhydrase IX, CD10, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and negative for β human chorionic gonadotropin, TFE3, cathepsin K, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, HMB45, CD68, smooth muscle actin, and S100. Most patients with available information (7/9) were alive with metastatic disease at the most recent follow-up. Syncytial-type giant cells are an uncommon finding associated with aggressive clear cell renal cell carcinomas. Despite the unusual appearance of this tumor component, its immunoprofile supports an epithelial lineage and argues against trophoblastic, osteoclast-like, or histiocytic differentiation. Reactivity for typical clear cell renal cell carcinoma antigens facilitates discrimination from giant cells of epithelioid angiomyolipoma or other tumors, particularly in a biopsy specimen or a metastatic tumor.