Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026
The Use of Reverse Phase Protein Arrays RPPA to Explore Protein Expression Variation within Individual Renal Cell Cancers
Published on: January 22, 2013
Identification of therapeutic targets for renal medullary carcinoma via integrated genomic and transcriptomic
Pavlos Msaouel1, Nizar M Tannir2, Funda Meric-Bernstam3
1Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a rare but highly aggressive kidney cancer that resists conventional therapies. To identify therapeutic targets, this study employs histopathologic, genomic, and transcriptomic profiling of 25 RMC samples. TROP2, EPCAM, CLDN6, and CDH6 are significantly overexpressed compared with other renal and solid tumors. Pathway analyses indicate Hippo pathway upregulation and a tumor microenvironment rich in fibroblasts and neutrophils. We subsequently explore treatment of four heavily pretreated patients, all with high TROP2 expression, using sacituzumab govitecan, a TROP2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate. Of these four patients, one patient achieves a partial response with symptom improvement, two patients maintain stable disease, and the median progression-free survival reaches 2.9 months. This study represents the most extensive molecular characterization of RMC to date, identifying TROP2 and other potential therapeutic targets. Sacituzumab govitecan demonstrates potential clinical benefit, warranting further evaluation in prospective trials to confirm its efficacy and explore additional targets identified herein.
Insights
Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is aggressive kidney cancer. Molecular profiling identified TROP2 as a target, and TROP2-targeted therapy showed potential benefit in heavily pretreated patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a rare, aggressive kidney cancer with limited treatment options.
- Conventional therapies are often ineffective against RMC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform comprehensive molecular characterization of RMC.
- To identify novel therapeutic targets and evaluate TROP2-targeted therapy.
Main Methods:
- Histopathologic, genomic, and transcriptomic profiling of 25 RMC samples.
- Analysis of tumor microenvironment and pathway activation.
- Treatment of four heavily pretreated RMC patients with sacituzumab govitecan.
Main Results:
- Significant overexpression of TROP2, EPCAM, CLDN6, and CDH6 identified in RMC.
- Hippo pathway upregulation and a tumor microenvironment rich in fibroblasts and neutrophils observed.
- One partial response, two stable disease outcomes, and a median progression-free survival of 2.9 months with sacituzumab govitecan.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the most extensive molecular characterization of RMC to date.
- TROP2 is a promising therapeutic target for RMC.
- Sacituzumab govitecan shows potential clinical benefit, warranting further investigation in clinical trials.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...