“Targeted Therapies and their Associated Molecular Alterations in the Treatment of RenalCell Carcinoma”

Renal cell carcinoma, (RCC) the most prevalent of kidney cancers, is a relatively common cancer, constituting approximately 10% of all cancers in adults. Many molecular subtypes have been characterized for RCC, the most common being clear cell RCC, or ccRCC, which occurs in close to 75% of cases, and has a strong association with mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene [1]. ccRCC constitutes close to 80% of metastatic presentations. Histology shows acinar growth and clear cell cytology, surrounded by a rich vasculature. Having a strong association with mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene, ccRCC exhibits loss of VHL gene by 3p chromosomal loss at the 3p25 locus. Another histologic subtype includes non clear cell renal cell carcinoma nccRCC. Somatic ccRCC is characterized by inactivation of the protein products of VHL (pVHL), which promotes transcription of genes implicated in tumor formation and growth [1].