BACKGROUND
About 70-80% of kidney cancers are clear cell renal cell carcinomas (CCRCC). Patient management is based on imaging (abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography), surgical excision of the tumor and pathological analysis. A tissue biopsy is therefore necessary to confirm the diagnosis and avoid unnecessary nephrectomy. For metastatic cancers, a tissue biopsy is essential for establishing the targeted therapy. This biopsy of tumor material is invasive and painful. Other techniques like liquid biopsy would help reduce tissue biopsy. The development of a simple biological test for diagnosis is essential. CA9 is a powerful marker for the diagnosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). Exosome has become a major source of liquid biopsy because they carry tumor protein, RNA and lipids. Urine is the most convenient biological liquid.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study (PEP-C) is mainly to determine whether it is possible to detect urinary exosomal CA9 for the molecular diagnosis of CCRCC.
METHODS
This study will include 60 patients with CCRCC and 40 non-cancer patients. Exosomes will be isolated from urine samples and exosomal CA9 will be detected by transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry and RT-qPCR.
RESULTS
This study is currently underway with funding support from the CHU Saint-Etienne of France.
CONCLUSIONS
We expect to demonstrate that urinary exosomal CA9 could be a novel liquid biopsy to diagnose CCRCC and to guide clinicians in treatment decision-making.
CLINICALTRIAL
NCT04053855. Registered August 13, 2019,
Liquid biopsy in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: urinary miR-210-3p as emerging specific biomarker
