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Updated: May 3, 2026
The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays RPPA to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
Published on: January 22, 2013
Molecular biomarkers in advanced renal cell carcinoma
1Authors' Affiliations: Hospital de la Santa Creu i San Pau, Barcelona, Spain and Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland, Ohio.
Abstract:
The availability of agents directly targeting tumorigenic and angiogenic pathways has significantly improved the outcomes of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in recent years. However, all patients eventually become resistant and a substantial percentage experience immediate disease progression with first-line targeted therapy. In addition, patients have variable clinical benefit and/or tolerance to different agents, including drugs within the same class. Thus, the choice of therapy for an individual patient remains empiric at present. Upon this landscape, several molecular biomarkers have been investigated with the purpose of guiding therapy. This review discusses prognostic biomarkers correlating with the outcome of patients independent of therapy, and predictive biomarkers of treatment response, including circulating biomarkers (such as VEGF and VEGF-related proteins, cytokine and angiogenic factors, and lactate dehydrogenase), and tissue-based biomarkers (such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms). Many potential prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers have now been identified in RCC, although none has yet entered into clinical practice, and all require prospective validation in appropriately designed randomized studies. In the near future, however, validated biomarkers may become integral to management strategies in RCC, enabling tailored treatment for individual patients to improve clinical outcomes.
Insights
Identifying molecular biomarkers is crucial for tailoring advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatments. While many show promise, none are in clinical practice, necessitating further validation for personalized patient care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Targeted therapies have improved outcomes for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- Therapy resistance and variable patient response necessitate personalized treatment strategies.
- Current treatment selection for RCC remains largely empirical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
- To discuss circulating and tissue-based biomarkers for guiding RCC therapy.
- To highlight the need for biomarker validation in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in advanced RCC.
- Analysis of circulating biomarkers (e.g., VEGF, cytokines, LDH).
- Evaluation of tissue-based biomarkers (e.g., single-nucleotide polymorphisms).
Main Results:
- Numerous potential prognostic and predictive biomarkers identified in RCC.
- Circulating and tissue-based markers show promise for predicting outcomes and treatment response.
- No identified biomarkers are currently in clinical practice.
Conclusions:
- Validated biomarkers are essential for personalized treatment strategies in advanced RCC.
- Prospective validation in randomized studies is required for clinical implementation.
- Biomarkers may enable tailored therapy, improving clinical outcomes for RCC patients.
