Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
Management of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma with Variant Histologies
Ronan Flippot1, Vijay Damarla2, Bradley A McGregor3
1Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy, 114 rue Edouard Vaillant, Villejuif 94800, France.
Abstract:
Variant histology renal cell carcinoma (vRCC) encompasses rare non-clear cell subtypes that have long been associated with poor prognosis and minimal response to therapies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor. Molecular advances have helped classify vRCC into distinct entities and identify putative targetable driver alterations, such as MET in papillary subtypes. More have since been identified in other vRCC subtypes, including alterations of tumor metabolism, chromatin remodeling genes, cell-cycle genes, and inactivation of tumor suppressors such as TP53 or NF2. New targeted therapies, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors, have been in development and yielded encouraging results. Collaborative clinical trials will be an essential step toward better implementation of these regimens in clinical practice.
Insights
Variant histology renal cell carcinoma (vRCC) has poor prognosis but new molecular insights reveal targetable alterations. Emerging therapies show promise for these rare kidney cancer subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Variant histology renal cell carcinoma (vRCC) comprises rare non-clear cell subtypes.
- vRCC is historically linked to poor prognosis and resistance to anti-VEGF therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review molecular classifications and therapeutic targets in vRCC.
- To highlight emerging targeted therapies and immunotherapies for vRCC.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular alterations in vRCC subtypes.
- Analysis of current and developing targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
- Discussion of clinical trial strategies for vRCC.
Main Results:
- Molecular advances have classified vRCC and identified targets like MET.
- Alterations in tumor metabolism, chromatin remodeling, cell cycle, and tumor suppressors (TP53, NF2) are implicated.
- New targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors show encouraging results.
Conclusions:
- Understanding vRCC molecular drivers is crucial for treatment.
- Emerging therapies offer new hope for patients with vRCC.
- Collaborative clinical trials are essential for advancing vRCC treatment strategies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:30Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...