Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer. It accounts for about 5 percent of all renal cell carcinomas in adults and about 50 percent in children. Relatively little is known about this cancer subtype, including its molecular underpinnings and the best course of clinical treatment. In a new comprehensive, multicenter study of 152 samples, investigators at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center helped to illuminate the disease’s molecular landscape and clinical features, finding that genetic alterations are rare in tRCC, except for the gene fusion from which it gets its name. Their work further suggests that tRCCs may be responsive to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
“We think our findings regarding the potential of immunotherapy combinations could be immediately clinically actionable,” said lead author Ziad El Bakouny, MD, MSc, a resident in Internal Medicine at the Brigham. “Because this cancer is so rare, it is difficult to have clinical trials dedicated to it. Comprehensively studying its molecular and clinical features may help us develop a better roadmap for treatment.”
Read more in Cell Reports.
Journal
Cell Reports
DOI
10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110190
Method of Research
Observational study
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Integrative clinical and molecular characterization of translocation renal cell carcinoma
Article Publication Date
4-Jan-2022
COI Statement
Z.B.: research funding from Bristol-Myers Squibb & Genentech/imCORE; honoraria from UpToDate. X.G.: advisory board for Exelixis, Bayer and Guardant Health. D.A.B.: non-financial support from Bristol Myers Squibb, honoraria from LM Education/Exchange Services, advisory board fees from Exelixis and Aveo, and consulting/personal fees from Octane Global, Defined Health, Dedham Group, Adept Field Solutions, Slingshot Insights, Blueprint Partnerships, Charles River Associates, Trinity Group, and Insight Strategy outside of the submitted work. N.I.V.: advisory board to Sanofi/Genzyme, Oncocyte, and Lilly. M.S.H.: consultant, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and UpToDate. R.H.: research funding from Novartis. B.A.M.: consultant for Bayer, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Seattle Genetics, Exelixis, Nektar, Pfizer, Janssen, Genentech, Eisai, Dendreon, Bristol Myers Squibb, Calithera, and EMD Serono; research funding to the institution from Bristol Myers Squibb, Calithera, Exelixis, and Seattle Genetics. A.S.F.: consultant, Olympus America, Inc.; honoraria, Roche, Janssen; advisory board, Vessi Medical. C.J.W.: equity holder of BioNTech, Inc; research funding from Pharmacyclics. D.F.M.: honoraria from BMS, Pfizer, Merck, Alkermes, Inc., EMD Serono, Eli Lilly and Company, Iovance, Eisai, Inc., Werewolf Therapeutics, and Calithera Biosciences; research support from BMS, Merck, Genentech, Pfizer, Exelixis, X4 Pharma, and Alkermes, Inc. D.Y.C.H.: consultancies and research funding from Pfizer, Novartis, BMS, Merck, Eisai, Ipsen, and Exelixis. S.S.: grants from Exelixis, grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb, personal fees from Merck, grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, personal fees from CRISPR Therapeutics, personal fees from NCI, and personal fees from AACR; a patent for Biogenex with royalties paid. E.M.V.A.: advisory/consulting, Tango Therapeutics, Genome Medical, Invitae, Enara Bio, Janssen, Manifold Bio, Monte Rosa; research support, Novartis, BMS; equity, Tango Therapeutics, Genome Medical, Syapse, Enara Bio, Manifold Bio, Microsoft, Monte Rosa; patents, institutional patents filed on chromatin mutations and immunotherapy response and methods for clinical interpretation. T.K.C.: research (institutional and personal), Alexion, Analysis Group, AstraZeneca, Aveo, Bayer, Bristol Myers-Squibb/ER Squibb and Sons, LLC, Calithera, Cerulean, Corvus, Eisai, Exelixis, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Foundation Medicine, Inc., Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Ipsen, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Peloton, Pfizer, Prometheus Labs, Roche, Roche Products Limited, Sanofi/Aventis, Takeda, and Tracon; consulting/honoraria or advisory role, Alexion, Analysis Group, AstraZeneca, Aveo, Bayer, Bristol Myers-Squibb/ER Squibb and Sons, LLC, Cerulean, Corvus, Eisai, EMD Serono, Exelixis, Foundation Medicine, Inc., Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Heron Therapeutics, Infinity Pharma, Ipsen, Jansen Oncology, IQVIA, Lilly, Merck, NCCN, Novartis, Nuscan, Peloton, Pfizer, Pionyr, Prometheus Labs, Roche, Sanofi/Aventis, Surface Oncology, Tempest, and Up-to-Date; CME-related events (e.g., OncLIve, PVI, MJH Life Sciences); NCI GU Steering Committee; stock ownership, Pionyr and Tempest; patents filed, royalties, or other intellectual properties, related to biomarkers of immune checkpoint blockers and ctDNA; travel, accommodations, expenses, medical writing in relation to consulting, advisory roles, or honoraria; no speaker’s bureau. S.R.V.: consulting, MPM Capital and Vida Ventures; spouse is an employee of and holds equity in Kojin Therapeutics. All other authors report no competing interests.