KIM-1 as a Biomarker in Genitourinary Neoplasms

Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1), a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, is emerging as a promising biomarker in the landscape of genitourinary malignancies. Initially it was described for its role in renal tubular injury, but it is currently being studied for its expression in various neoplasms, particularly renal cell carcinoma, where it correlates with tumor grade, stage and prognosis. Recent studies have demonstrated its potential usefulness as a non-invasive diagnostic tool through urinary and plasma/serum studies, offering a valuable adjunct to imaging and pathology studies. KIM-1 may also play a role in urothelial cancer, although its specificity and relevance in this context are not clearly established yet. The following review presents our current knowledge on the biology of KIM-1, its expression patterns across various genitourinary tumors and its clinical implications in early detection, prognosis and treatment monitoring. We also explore the limitations and future directions regarding the integration of KIM-1 into precision oncology approaches.