Advanced fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma responding to combination immune checkpoint inhibitors

Can J Urol. 2023 Jun;30(3):11558-11561.

Abstract

Fumarate hydratase deficient (FHdef) renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rare, highly aggressive and is believed to arise mostly in the setting of hereditary leiomyomatosis RCC (HLRCC) syndrome with a germline mutation of fumarate hydratase (FH) gene. There is currently little evidence regarding the most effective systemic treatment for advanced FHdef RCC. We present three cases of metastatic FHdef RCC, all achieving tumor response with combination immunotherapy ipilimumab and nivolumab (Ipi/Nivo). A 50-year-old male, a 27-year-old male and a 48-year-old female. The clinical features, diagnosis and medical imaging are reviewed.

Keywords: checkpoint inhibitors; fumarate hydratase deficient renal cell carcinoma; hereditary leiomyomatosis renal cell cancer syndrome; immunotherapy; ipilimumab and nivolumab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / pathology
  • Female
  • Fumarate Hydratase / genetics
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms* / genetics

Substances

  • Fumarate Hydratase
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors