The molecular code of kidney cancer: A path of discovery for gene mutation and precision therapy

Mol Aspects Med. 2025 Feb:101:101335. doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101335. Epub 2025 Jan 1.

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant tumor with highly heterogeneous and complex molecular mechanisms. Through systematic analysis of TCGA, COSMIC and other databases, 24 mutated genes closely related to RCC were screened, including VHL, PBRM1, BAP1 and SETD2, which play key roles in signaling pathway transduction, chromatin remodeling and DNA repair. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is particularly important in the pathogenesis of RCC. Mutations in genes such as PIK3CA, MTOR and PTEN are closely associated with metabolic abnormalities and tumor cell proliferation. Clinically, mTOR inhibitors and VEGF-targeted drugs have shown significant efficacy in personalized therapy. Abnormal regulation of metabolic reprogramming, especially glycolysis and glutamine metabolic pathways, provides tumor cells with continuous energy supply and survival advantages, and GLS1 inhibitors have shown promising results in preclinical studies. This paper also explores the potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors in combination with other targeted drugs, as well as the promising application of nanotechnology in drug delivery and targeted therapy. In addition, unique molecular mechanisms are revealed and individualized therapeutic strategies are explored for specific subtypes such as TFE3, TFEB rearrangement type and SDHB mutant type. The review summarizes the common gene mutations in RCC and their molecular mechanisms, emphasizes their important roles in tumor diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, and looks forward to the application prospects of multi-pathway targeted therapy, metabolic targeted therapy, immunotherapy and nanotechnology in RCC treatment, providing theoretical support and clinical guidance for individualized treatment and new drug development.

Keywords: Gene mutation; HIF signaling pathway; Immune microenvironment; Immunotherapy; Metabolic reprogramming; PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway; Renal cell carcinoma; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / therapy
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Mutation*
  • Precision Medicine* / methods
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
  • Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein / genetics
  • Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • BAP1 protein, human
  • PBRM1 protein, human
  • Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein
  • VHL protein, human
  • SETD2 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • TFE3 protein, human
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase