Metabolomic profiling in renal cell carcinoma patients: News and views

Abstract

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 per-formed. Results: The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is key in clear cell RCC metabolism and accord-ingly 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 investiga-tion. 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.