Clinical Relevance of Gene Copy Number Variation in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Gene copy number variations (CNVs) have been reported to be frequent in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with potential prognostic value for some. However, their clinical utility, especially to guide treatment of metastatic disease remains to be established. Our objectives were to assess CNVs on a panel of selected genes and determine their clinical relevance in patients who underwent treatment of metastatic RCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The genetic assessment was performed on frozen tissue samples of clear cell metastatic RCC using quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction of short fluorescent fragment method to detect CNVs on a panel of 14 genes of interest. The comparison of the electropherogram obtained from both tumor and normal renal adjacent tissue allowed for CNV identification. The clinical, biologic, and survival characteristics were assessed for their associations with the most frequent CNVs.

RESULTS

Fifty patients with clear cell metastatic RCC were included. The CNV rate was 21.4%. The loss of CDKN2A and PLG was associated with a higher tumor stage (P < .05). The loss of PLG and ALDOB was associated with a higher Fuhrman grade (P < .05). The loss of ALDOB was also associated with a worse Heng prognostic score (95% vs. 66%; P = .029) and lower 24-month survival rate (18% vs. 58%; P = .012). The loss of both ALDOB and PLG was frequent (32%) and was associated with a higher tumor stage and grade (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

As expected, we showed that several CNVs were associated with clinical relevance, especially those located on CDKN2A, PLG, and ALDOB, in a homogeneous cohort of patients with clear cell metastatic RCC.