Biomarkers for Cancer of the Kidney

Medscape is reporting new research points to several biomarkers (molecules that can be tested for in relationship to a disease) have been found which may predict the odds of survival in renal cell cancer.

The data reviewed is derived from the TARGET study Treatment Approaches in Renal Cancer Global Evaluation Trial.

"Carol Peña, PhD, associate director for clinical cancer biomarkers at Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, and colleagues conducted an analysis on a subset of the patients enrolled in TARGET to evaluate the relation between biomarker levels and outcomes.



"We looked at biomarkers for prognosis of RCC in the absence of treatment and also looked at biomarkers that predict response to sorafenib," said Dr. Peña.

Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma courtesy of Webpathology.com

The bio markers studied include

VEGF

soluble VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2

CAIX

TIMP-1

p21 Ras

The above bio markers are all products of genes that may be turned on or inappropriately regulated to cause cancer or promote its growth.

The study although small is worth mentioning to highlight that the promise of molecular medicince is indeed bearing fruit that will impact the day to day management of patients.

Image from the national library of medicine showing microscopic detail of clear cell carcinoma a variant of renal cell carcinoma.