Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 11, 2025

The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays RPPA to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
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The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays RPPA to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers

Published on: January 22, 2013

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mRNA expression, tumor heterogeneity, and response to therapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma treated

Cristina Aguzzi1, Simona De Summa2, Javier Molina-Cerrillo3

  • 1School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Macerata, Italy.

Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
|August 18, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Investigating 32 gene mRNA expression in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) revealed potential links to immune therapy response. Tumor heterogeneity, particularly VEGFA deregulation, was observed between primary and metastatic sites.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunotherapy

Background:

  • Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is a complex cancer with diverse characteristics and varied responses to immune-based treatments.
  • Understanding the molecular underpinnings of RCC is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mRNA expression of 32 genes linked to RCC carcinogenesis.
  • To explore the potential role of these genes in patients receiving first-line immune-based combination therapies.
  • To assess tumor heterogeneity by comparing gene expression between primary and metastatic RCC sites.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 17 advanced RCC patients treated with first-line immune-based therapies.
  • Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyze mRNA expression of 32 genes.
  • Comparison of mRNA expression levels between primary tumors and metastatic sites.

Main Results:

  • Higher mRNA expression of the analyzed genes correlated with better response to immune therapy.
  • Lower mRNA expression was associated with primary refractoriness to first-line therapy.
  • VEGFA was the only gene significantly deregulated when comparing primary and metastatic RCC samples, indicating tumor heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

  • Differences in mRNA expression exist between primary and metastatic RCC sites.
  • Gene expression patterns may be linked to treatment response in advanced RCC.
  • Further research is needed to validate these genes as prognostic or predictive biomarkers for RCC.
Keywords:
AxitinibCabozantinibGene profilesImmune-based combinationsLenvatinibNivolumabPembrolizumabRenal cell carcinomaResponse to therapyTumor heterogeneity

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