Novel insights into molecular landscape of advanced renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the 10 most common human cancers representing 3–4 % of all malignant diseases, and almost 30 % of cases are diagnosed in an advanced or metastatic stage. Many studies have demonstrated that alterations in cell metabolism are involved in the development of RCC and that many altered genes have a fundamental role in controlling metabolic features in this tumor. Recent reports revealed that metabolic reprogramming is also associated with disease progression. Metastasis, particularly through the formation of a tumor thrombus within the vascular system, is a critical aspect of RCC progression. Recent advancements in understanding genetic and nongenetic variations in tumors have led to a deeper understanding of RCC evolution and intratumor heterogeneity, along with the functional characterization of cellular and molecular components of tumor microenvironment. This commentary briefly explores the novel findings in advanced RCC, highlighting the role of high-throughput technologies and multi-omics approach in the understanding of its pathogenesis and the identification of new therapeutic targets.