Cancers (Oct 2021)

Metabolomic Profiling in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients: News and Views

  • Gaetano Aurilio,
  • Matteo Santoni,
  • Francesco Massari,
  • Alessia Cimadamore,
  • Alessandro Rizzo,
  • Veronica Mollica,
  • Elena Verri,
  • Nicola Battelli,
  • Rodolfo Montironi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13205229
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 20
p. 5229

Abstract

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Background: We address novelty regarding metabolomic profiling in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients, in an attempt to postulate potential treatment strategies. Methods: A large-scale literature search in existing scientific websites focusing on the keywords “renal cell carcinoma”, “clear cell histology”, “papillary histology”, “metabolomic profiling”, and “therapeutics” was performed. Results: The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is key in clear cell RCC metabolism and accordingly several drugs are presently available for routine use in clinical practice. Along this line, new treatment combinations against PI3K/Akt family members are currently under clinical investigation. On the other hand, new developed targets such as c-Met tyrosine kinase domain, glutathione (GSH) metabolism, and histone deacetylases enzymes (HDAC), as well as therapeutic strategies targeting them are currently being tested in clinical trials and here discussed. Conclusions: In RCC patients, the PI3K/Akt signaling is still the most effective targetable pathway. Targeting other metabolic pathways such as c-Met, GSH, and HDAC appears to be a promising approach and deserve further insights.

Keywords