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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
The use of MN/CA9 gene expression in identifying malignant solid renal tumors
Guorong Li1, Muriel Cuilleron, Michèle Cottier
1Department of Urology, North Hospital, CHU of Saint-Etienne, France. grli2001@yahoo.fr
Objective:
Small solid renal tumors are increasingly encountered. It is important to determine the malignancy of solid renal tumors for the choice of treatment. MN/CA9 is expressed in malignant renal cells but absent in normal cells. MN/CA9 is one of the most powerful gene markers available for RCC. The objective of this pilot study is to utilize MN/CA9 gene expression in FNA biopsy to determine the malignancy of imaging-indeterminate solid renal tumors.
Methods:
A total of 35 patients with an imaging-indeterminate solid renal mass entered into this study. The molecular protocol consisted of a rapid column extraction of RNA and one-step RT-PCR for the detection of MN/CA9 gene expression. The preoperative molecular diagnosis was compared with postoperative pathology.
Results:
There were 28 RCCs (19 clear cell carcinomas, 7 papillary carcinomas and 2 chromophobe carcinomas) and 7 benign tumors proved by postoperative pathology. The overall sensitivity and specificity for MN/CA9 were respectively 68% and 100%. MN/CA9 was positive in 16/19 (84%) FNA biopsies of clear cell RCCs. No false positive appeared for MN/CA9 gene expression. Moreover, MN/CA9 gene expression was positive in 8/13 (62%) of false negative or suspect cytology.
Conclusion:
Detection of MN/CA9 gene expression in FNA biopsy is possible. Its detection can be helpful in identifying the malignancy among renal tumors.
