Researchers from the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center have discovered a biomarker that could help identify which renal cancer patients have a higher risk of recurrence. The findings were published in JCO Precision Oncology . Kidney cancer accounts for about 3-5% of all cancers; clear cell renal cancer makes up about 75% of all kinds of kidney cancers.
Currently, treatment for clear cell renal cancer is determined based on the size and grade of the tumor and stage of overall disease. But this "one-size-fits-all" approach isn't always precise. We need biomarkers to identify and better treat those who need to be treated and avoid treatment in those that that do not need to be treated.
" Simpa S. Salami, M.D.
, M.P.H, associate professor of urology at Michigan Medicine and lead author of the study For example, some patients with stage pT3 disease may never develop recurrence after initial treatment with surgery to remove the kidney.
Rather than offer additional, often toxic, systemic therapy to all patients with pT3 disease, a biomarker test that can stratify patients into low versus high risk for recurrence can be used to guide need for additional therapy. Salami says there's been no renal cancer biomarker in practice to help clinicians gauge just how aggressive the disease is likely to recur to tailor surveillance strategies as well as need for additional treatment. Until now.
"We've developed a 15-gene signature that can risk-stratify patients with clear cell re.
