suPARnostic: an advanced predictive tool for detecting recurrence in renal cell carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomarkers
• Renal Cell Carcinoma Research

Background:

• Plasma soluble urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) is recognized for predicting disease aggressiveness in renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
• The prognostic accuracy of suPAR in ccRCC has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prognostic accuracy of preoperative plasma suPAR.
• To assess suPAR's predictive value in patients with initially localized ccRCC who underwent curative treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of plasma samples from 235 ccRCC patients (2010-2015).
• Utilized univariate and multiple logistic Cox regression analysis to correlate suPAR levels with patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Elevated suPAR (≥6 ng/mL) was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).
• Patients with high suPAR demonstrated a 2.3-fold increased risk of recurrence (HR).
• suPAR remained an independent negative predictor for OS and RFS in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

• Elevated plasma suPAR concentrations in ccRCC patients correlate with higher recurrence risk and reduced OS.
• suPAR emerges as a potential liquid biomarker for improved patient surveillance and early detection of recurrences in ccRCC.
• suPAR independently predicts survival outcomes in patients across all stages of kidney cancer.