Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays (RPPA) to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
Published on: January 22, 2013
Primary tumor response to targeted agents in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
E Jason Abel1, Stephen H Culp, Nizar M Tannir
1Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Background:
The recent development of multiple targeted agents for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has changed the treatment paradigm; hence the benefit and optimal timing of cytoreductive nephrectomy is being reevaluated.
Objective:
To determine primary tumor response to treatment with targeted agents in patients with mRCC.
Design, Setting, And Participants:
We reviewed the clinical and radiographic data of all mRCC patients seen at our institution between November 2004 and December 2009 without prior systemic treatment who received targeted therapy with their primary tumor in situ.
Measurements:
Two independent reviewers measured the diameter of primary and metastatic tumors at baseline and subsequent scans, using Response Evaluation Criteria Solid Tumors (RECIST) v.1.1 to assess disease response.
Results And Limitations:
We identified 168 consecutive patients with a median 15 mo of follow-up and a median maximum tumor diameter of 9.6 cm. Median maximum primary tumor response was -7.1% (interquartile range: -14.0 to -0.1). A total of 61 patients had multiple studies available for evaluation. In 43 patients with <10% decrease in primary tumor within in the first 60 d, median maximum response was -7.2% at 154 d versus -24.5% maximum response at 174.5 d for 18 patients with ≥10% decrease in primary tumor during the initial 60 d.
Conclusions:
Decrease in primary tumor diameter >30% while on targeted therapy for mRCC is rare, with most patients demonstrating minimal or no decrease in primary tumor diameter. Early response predicts a better overall primary tumor response.
Insights
Targeted therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) rarely shrinks primary tumors significantly. Early signs of primary tumor reduction predict better overall response in mRCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Nephrology
Background:
- Advancements in targeted therapies have shifted treatment paradigms for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).
- The role and optimal timing of cytoreductive nephrectomy are under reevaluation in the era of targeted agents.
- Understanding primary tumor response to systemic therapy is crucial for managing mRCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the response of primary tumors to targeted therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).
- To evaluate the relationship between early tumor response and overall treatment efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical and radiographic data from 168 mRCC patients treated between 2004 and 2009.
- Primary tumor response was measured using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v.1.1.
- Analysis of tumor diameter changes at baseline and subsequent scans.
Main Results:
- The median maximum response of primary tumors was a decrease of -7.1%.
- A decrease greater than 30% in primary tumor diameter was uncommon.
- Patients showing ≥10% decrease in primary tumor size within 60 days had a better maximum response (-24.5%) compared to those with <10% decrease (-7.2%).
Conclusions:
- Significant reduction in primary tumor size is rare with targeted therapy in mRCC.
- Early assessment of primary tumor response within 60 days can predict overall treatment effectiveness.
- These findings may inform treatment decisions and the reevaluation of cytoreductive nephrectomy.
More Related Videos
06:38A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
10:27Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
Published on: July 25, 2020
