The evolving role of cytoreductive nephrectomy: Incorporating genomics of metastatic renal cell carcinoma into treatment decisions

Roy Mano, Nikhil Gopal, A. Ari Hakimi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of review Recent publications evaluating cytoreductive nephrectomy in the era of targeted therapy emphasize the importance of patient selection. We reviewed the predictive role of genetic alterations in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy.Recent findingsStudies evaluating the association between genetic alterations and outcomes following systemic treatment for mRCC include mainly patients after cytoreductive nephrectomy. Expression of proangiogenic genes, single nucleotide polymorphisms involving genes of the vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway and somatic mutations of chromatin remodeling genes were associated with response to VEGF-targeted therapy. Outcomes following treatment with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors were initially associated with mTOR/TSC1/TSC2 mutations; however, subsequent studies did not validate these findings but rather found an association between loss of PTEN expression and PBRM1 mutations and improved outcomes. Loss of PBRM1 was initially linked to response to immunotherapy; however, larger studies question this association and showed high expression of T-effector gene signature predicted improved outcome. Primary tumors with low intratumor heterogeneity but elevated somatic copy-number alterations were associated with rapid progression at multiple sites.SummaryGenetic alterations may help select patients for cytoreductive nephrectomy and optimize timing of treatment. Intratumor heterogeneity and genetic discordance between primary and metastatic tumors may limit clinical applicability. Future studies should evaluate approaches to overcome these limitations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)531-539
Number of pages9
JournalCurrent Opinion in Urology
Volume29
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2019
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
Sidney Kimmel Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer InstituteP30CA008748

    Keywords

    • cytoreductive nephrectomy
    • genomics
    • metastatic renal cell carcinoma
    • outcome

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