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Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Comparing Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Model Established in Mouse Kidney and on Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane
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Comparing Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Model Established in Mouse Kidney and on Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane

Published on: February 8, 2020

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Evolution of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Zayd Tippu1, Lewis Au2, Samra Turajlic2

  • 1Renal and Skin Units, The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.

European Urology Focus
|February 3, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Understanding clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) evolution reveals genetic changes linked to metastasis. This knowledge can guide treatment decisions and identify patients for surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) presents diverse clinical phenotypes and therapeutic challenges.
  • Tumor evolution is driven by genetic events, notably the loss of chromosome 3p, leading to varied disease trajectories.
  • Intratumoral heterogeneity and chromosomal complexity in primary tumors correlate with distinct metastatic patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular underpinnings of ccRCC diversity.
  • To correlate genetic events and tumor evolution with metastatic potential.
  • To explore how an evolutionary perspective can inform patient management and therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular characterization of primary ccRCC tumors.
  • Analysis of genetic events and chromosomal alterations.
  • Comparative analysis of tumor evolution in relation to clinical phenotypes and metastatic status.

Main Results:

  • The loss of chromosome 3p is a near-ubiquitous early event in ccRCC development.
  • Distinct evolutionary trajectories, involving different genetic event combinations, lead to diverse ccRCC phenotypes.
  • Tumor heterogeneity and chromosomal complexity are associated with specific metastatic phenotypes.

Conclusions:

  • An evolutionary framework reconciles the diverse clinical presentations of metastatic ccRCC.
  • Understanding ccRCC evolutionary paths offers insights into genetic drivers of metastasis.
  • This approach has the potential to guide therapeutic interventions, including patient selection for surgery.
Keywords:
Chromosomal complexityIntratumoural heterogeneityLinear, branched, and punctuated evolution

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