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C-kit expression in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: potential therapy with imatinib

Mireia Castillo1, Anna Petit, Begoña Mellado

  • 1Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Institut D'Investigació Biomedica August Pi Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. mallofre@clinic.ub.es

The Journal of Urology
|May 6, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC) shows high c-Kit expression, particularly in its sarcomatoid component. This finding suggests imatinib therapy may be effective for advanced sarcomatoid RCC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pathology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) is an aggressive subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with a poor prognosis.
  • Current treatment options for SRCC are limited due to its high metastatic potential and local aggressiveness.
  • Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting c-Kit, is an approved therapy for neoplasms expressing c-Kit.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of c-Kit in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC).
  • To determine if c-Kit expression in SRCC supports targeted therapy with imatinib.

Main Methods:

  • Review of 215 RCC cases diagnosed between 1995 and 2002.
  • Immunohistochemical staining for c-Kit (CD117) on 19 SRCC cases.
  • Evaluation of c-Kit expression in both epithelial and sarcomatoid components of SRCC.

Main Results:

  • Sarcomatoid component showed high c-Kit positivity in 18 out of 19 SRCC cases (94.7%).
  • Epithelial components showed c-Kit positivity only in 3 chromophobe SRCC cases.
  • 80% of SRCC cases presented at advanced stages (T3/T4 or metastatic disease).

Conclusions:

  • High c-Kit expression in the sarcomatoid component of SRCC suggests potential efficacy of imatinib therapy.
  • Imatinib may represent a viable treatment option for advanced sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma.
  • Further investigation into imatinib's role in SRCC treatment is warranted.

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