Renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) denotes cancer originated from renal epithelium and accounts for >90% of cancers in the kidney. The disease encompasses >10 histological and molecular subtypes, of which clear cell RCC (ccRCC) is most common and accounts for most cancer-related deaths. Although somatic VHL mutations have been described for some time, more-recent cancer genomic studies have identified mutations in epigenetics regulatory genes and demonstrated marked intratumour heterogeneity, which could have prognostic, predictive and therapeutic relevance. Localized RCC can be successfully managed with surgery whereas metastatic RCC is refractory to conventional chemotherapy. However, over the past decade, marked advances in treatment of metastatic RCC have been made, with targeted agents including sorafenib, sunitinib, bevacizumab, pazopanib and axitini that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor(VEGFR) and everolimus and temsirolimus, which inhibit mTOR complex 1, being approved. Since 2015, agents with additional targets aside from VEGFR have been approved, such as cabozantinib and lenvatinib; immunotherapies such as nivolumab have also been added to the armamentarium for metastatic RCC. Here, we provide an overview of the molecular biology of RCC, with a focus on ccRCC, as well as updates to complement current clinical guidelines and an outline of potential future directions for RCC research and therapy.

Tumor suppressor microRNA‑136‑5p regulates the cellular function of renal cell carcinoma

“…The disease is comprised of >10 histological and molecular subtypes, of which clear cell RCC (ccRCC) is the most common, accounting for ~70% of all diagnosed cases (1,2). Prognosis is closely associated with the stage of RCC at the point of diagnosis.…”

“…Prognosis is closely associated with the stage of RCC at the point of diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate of stage I RCC is ~95%, while that of stage IV is just 20% (2). Therefore, early detection of RCC is of great importance for successful treatment.…”

“…At present, no standardized approaches to biomarker sampling or analysis have been adopted for RCC since the majority of the putative tumor markers themselves remain under active investigation for further validation (4). Reliable biomarkers have not yet been established for screening (2). In addition, there are no data suggesting that adjuvant therapies such as cytokines and vaccines were effective following RCC surgery (5).…”

MicroRNA‑191‑5p exerts a tumor suppressive role in renal cell carcinoma

“…Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for ~2% of all cancer diagnoses and cancer-associated mortalities, with ~295,000 new kidney cancer cases are diagnosed and ~134,000 mortalities recorded worldwide annually (1). RCC is classified into three major subtypes, including clear cell, papillary and chromophobe RCC.…”

Antiangiogenic compounds: well-established drugs versus emerging natural molecules

“…Sorafenib was the first small RTK inhibitor drug to be developed and was initially approved against renal cell carcinoma, then against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and more recently for differentiated thyroid treatment [111]. Sunitinib soon followed, being approved for gastrointestinal stromal tumors, rare stomach cancers and renal cell carcinoma [106,112]…”