Analysis Reveals How Kidney Cancer Develops and Responds to Treatment

Findings offer clues to why some types of renal cell carcinoma respond to immunotherapy while others do not.

2:53 PM

Author | Nicole Fawcett

blue kidney cancer cell microscopic
Getty Images

Not all kidney cancers behave the same, with wildly different responses to immunotherapy or other treatments – and wildly different outcomes for patients as a result.

By sequencing the RNA of individual cells within multiple benign and cancerous kidney tumors, researchers from the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center have identified the cells from which different subtypes originate, the pathways involved and how the tumor microenvironment impacts cancer development and response to treatment.

The findings, published in PNAS, could help researchers better understand what forces are influencing renal cell carcinoma and guide oncologists in selecting the best treatment for each patient.

"Single cell RNA sequencing was key to allowing us to monitor gene expression patterns in each individual cell, revealing the mechanisms at play within the tumor microenvironment that can predict overall survival," says study author Arul Chinnaiyan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology and S.P. Hicks Professor of Pathology at Michigan Medicine.

Researchers generated gene expression atlases of both normal kidney and renal cell carcinoma samples. They predicted the putative cell of origin for more than 10 subtypes of renal cell cancer. The analysis also revealed pathways and interactions within the tumor microenvironment that predicted whether the tumor would respond to immunotherapy. This could lead to biomarkers to help guide kidney cancer treatment.

"By understanding the cell type where a cancer originates, it may allow us to target more precise treatments for that cancer type as well as better understand response to therapy," Chinnaiyan says.

Paper cited: "Single-cell analyses of renal cell cancers reveal insights into tumor microenvironment, cell of origin, and therapy response," PNAS. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2103240118


More Articles About: Lab Notes Cancer: Cancer Types Cancer Research Cancer: Help, Diagnosis & Treatment
Health Lab word mark overlaying blue cells
Health Lab

Explore a variety of healthcare news & stories by visiting the Health Lab home page for more articles.

Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

Stay Informed

Want top health & research news weekly? Sign up for Health Lab’s newsletters today!

Subscribe
Featured News & Stories hospital bed
Health Lab
Even at top hospitals, low-income older cancer patients struggle after surgery
Unequal outcomes, and higher spending, seen in patients over 65 who are “dual eligible” for Medicare and Medicaid.
microscopic colorful rainbow cells black background and yellow badge on bottom right and blue lettering saying lab notes
Health Lab
Researchers find promising new approach to stop intestinal problems caused by immune cells
New research suggests gastrointestinal diseases caused by immune system T cells could be mitigated by bolstering a common enzyme.
red thermometer background in white
Health Lab
Wearable temperature sensor provides early warning for complications in cancer patients
The device, which takes measurements every two minutes, was able to detect infection and cytokine release syndrome events several hours sooner than routine monitoring.
blue cell with yellow badge saying lab note
Health Lab
Key Pathway for Activated T-cells Might Be Targeted to Fight GVHD
A new understanding of intracellular pathways activated as T cells start to mount an immune response offers clues against graft-versus-host disease, a serious complication of bone marrow transplantation.
Health Lab
Father’s cancerous brain tumor found weeks after the birth of his daughter
Father’s cancerous brain tumor found weeks after the birth of his daughter
Spilled pills next to a stethoscope and pile of cash
Health Lab
Drug pricing program improved prostate cancer treatment adherence
Socially vulnerable patients were more likely to stick with oral medications when treated at a hospital participating in 340B program, suggesting these hospitals may have more resources to help patients.