Unusual kidney cancer characteristics reveal how cancer invades and metastasizes

MRI of patients with primary kidney tumor (PT), tumor thrombus extending to the largest vein (TT) and metastasis (Met) in the body

How cancer metastasizes is still poorly understood

Dr.

Among the top 10 cancers in the United States, kidney cancer, also known as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), has the special ability to use blood vessels as direct expansion channels

With the help of KCP urologists, the researchers gathered 83 patients who participated in the study

The results showed that the invasion of cancer cells involves the transient activation of genetic programs that allow cancer cells to survive in blood vessels

"Even clones that are less aggressive can invade and move along blood vessels," said Dr.

These data indicate that the intrusion capability may be acquired earlier than previously thought

In clinical practice, the possibility of metastasis is determined based on the most evolved and most aggressive clone in the tumor

"This shows that," said Payal Kapur, MD, professor of pathology and urology and leader of the genitourinary pathology team, "we should pay more attention to the grading of tumor expansion, because this may give patients a more accurate assessment of their likelihood of metastasis.

So far, treatment advances have mainly focused on improving surgical techniques, but Malladi hopes this research will help

The results of this study are the latest results of a series of groundbreaking research and treatment progress for patients with such aggressive tumors
.
"This is a patient population and has not seen substantial improvement in results over the years," said James Brugarolas, co-leader of the study, professor of internal medicine, hematology/oncology, and KCP director
.

Surgery is fraught with risks and potentially life-threatening complications
.
Without treatment, patients whose tumors invade the inferior vena cava usually die within a year
.

In order to find better options, especially for patients who are not suitable for surgery, KCP researchers have developed a new method that includes radiotherapy
.
Although the treatment is still in the experimental stage, their data shows that high-dose precise radiation can control the spread of tumors
.

"These are important developments," Brugarolas said
.
"KCP is committed to helping these patients by improving surgical techniques and developing new treatments, as well as a deeper understanding of the underlying biological processes
.
"

 Determinants of renal cell carcinoma invasion and metastatic competence