KIM-1 as a potential serological/urinological tumor-associated marker of renal cell carcinoma and chemotherapy nephrotoxicity
The last decades are characterized by an active search for highly sensitive and specific urinological and serological tumor-associated markers of renal cell carcinoma. This review analyses the results of studies of traditional serological tumor-associated markers and a potential new tumor-associated marker of renal cell carcinoma: kidney injury molecule-1, or KIM-1. The structure, sources and functions of KIM-1 in normal conditions and in damaged renal tubules, its potential role in carcinogenesis are described. The experience of using KIM-1 for specifying diagnosis of the most common histological types of renal cell carcinoma is analyzed. Data on KIM-1 expression in malignant tumors in other locations and non-oncological kidney disorders are presented. The role of KIM-1 in early diagnosis of nephrotoxic effect of antitumor drugs is described. The accumulated data is promising in regards to using KIM-1 in clinical oncology as a urinological and serological marker of renal cell carcinoma and chemotherapy nephrotoxicity.