Current Status of Biomarker Discovery in Human clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

The incidence of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) continues to increase while very few treatment options are available for therapy. Development of metastatic disease dramatically decreases patient survival; therefore detection at an early stage while still localized to the renal capsule is imperative for a favorable prognosis. With recent advances in molecular technologies and subsequent understanding of the underlying pathology of disease, molecular markers have been defined that are predicative of tumor stage, metastatic potential and patient prognosis. Analysis of these biomarkers along with current staging techniques already used in the clinic may allow for implementation of personalized post-surgical treatment plans as well provide further molecular pathways for targeted therapeutic interventions. In this review we will highlight the potential ccRCC biomarkers that have been identified through a variety of molecular techniques to date, and provide insight into research models for biomarker discovery.