Identification of gene signature for treatment response to guide precision oncology in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 6;10(1):2026. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-58804-y.

Abstract

Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common therapy resistant disease with aberrant angiogenic and immunosuppressive features. Patients with metastatic disease are treated with targeted therapies based on clinical features: low-risk patients are usually treated with anti-angiogenic drugs and intermediate/high-risk patients with immune therapy. However, there are no biomarkers available to guide treatment choice for these patients. A recently published phase II clinical trial observed a correlation between ccRCC patients' clustering and their response to targeted therapy. However, the clustering of these groups was not distinct. Here, we analyzed the gene expression profile of 469 ccRCC patients, using featured selection technique, and have developed a refined 66-gene signature for improved sub-classification of patients. Moreover, we have identified a novel comprehensive expression profile to distinguish between migratory stromal and immune cells. Furthermore, the proposed 66-gene signature was validated using a different cohort of 64 ccRCC patients. These findings are foundational for the development of reliable biomarkers that may guide treatment decision-making and improve therapy response in ccRCC patients.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / genetics
  • Clinical Decision-Making / methods
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Cohort Studies
  • Datasets as Topic
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / genetics
  • Male
  • Medical Oncology / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection
  • Precision Medicine / methods*
  • Prognosis
  • Transcriptome / genetics

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Biomarkers, Tumor