A case study of metastatic Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma effectively treated with sunitinib

Int J Clin Oncol. 2011 Oct;16(5):577-80. doi: 10.1007/s10147-010-0154-6. Epub 2010 Dec 15.

Abstract

We report a case of Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma (RCC) whose lung metastases were effectively treated with sunitinib. A 43-year-old woman presenting with upper abdominal pain was diagnosed with a left renal tumor. Laparoscopic left radical nephrectomy was performed. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a clear-cell carcinoma of the left kidney. Two years later, multiple lung metastases were detected and the patient was treated daily with 50 mg sunitinib. A computed tomography scan performed after 2 cycles of sunitinib treatment revealed partial regression of these metastases. The partial regression has been maintained for >3 years. In retrospective evaluation of the primary RCC, tumor cells showed strong nuclear staining for transcription factor E3 (TFE3) protein and TFE3 split-fluorescence in-situ hybridization revealed translocation involving the TFE3 gene. These findings strongly support diagnosis of Xp11.2 translocation RCC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / secondary
  • Chromosomes, Human, X / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indoles / administration & dosage
  • Indoles / therapeutic use*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Pyrroles / administration & dosage
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*
  • Sunitinib
  • Translocation, Genetic*

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Indoles
  • Pyrroles
  • TFE3 protein, human
  • Sunitinib