The Molecular Characteristics of Non-Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: What's the Story Morning Glory?

Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jun 9;22(12):6237. doi: 10.3390/ijms22126237.

Abstract

Non-clear cell renal cell carcinomas are a miscellaneous group of tumors that include different histological subtypes, each one characterized by peculiarity in terms of genetic alteration, clinical behavior, prognosis, and treatment response. Because of their low incidence and poor enrollment in clinical trials, alongside their heterogeneity, additional efforts are required to better unveil the pathogenetic mechanisms and, consequently, to improve the treatment algorithm. Nowadays, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mTOR and MET inhibitors, and even cisplatin-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy are potential weapons that are still under evaluation in this setting. Various biomarkers have been evaluated for detecting progression and monitoring renal cell carcinoma, but more studies are necessary to improve this field. In this review, we provide an overview on the molecular characteristics of this group of tumors and the recently published trials, giving an insight into what might become the future therapeutic standard in this complex world of non-clear cell kidney cancers.

Keywords: MET; TKI; VEGFR; chromophobe RCC; immunotherapy; mTOR; molecular targets; non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma; papillary RCC; pathways.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met* / metabolism
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases* / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • MTOR protein, human
  • MET protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases