Molecular Markers in Predicting Response to Treatment in FH-deficient RCC Patients

Fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma (FH-deficient RCC) is a rare subtype of RCC characterized by germline/somatic mutation of the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene, and is an extremely aggressive tumor, with a propensity to disseminate early even in the setting of a small primary tumor. This project is a real-world exploratory study aiming to explore potential molecular markers detectable at baseline that can enable the prediction of clinical efficacy of systemic treatments in advanced FH-deficient RCC.

This project is a real-world exploratory study aiming to explore potential molecular markers detectable at baseline that can enable the prediction of clinical efficacy of immunotherapy combined with target therapy in advanced FH-deficient RCC.

This study aims to include a total of 100 patients initially diagnosed with advanced FH-deficient RCC. Paired tissue and blood samples collected from all patients before or/ and after the start of immunotherapy-based treatment (at diagnosis or/ and their change with treatment) will be analyzed.

The patient samples will be submitted for molecular analysis, including next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based gene expression profiling (GEP), RNA-sequencing, multiplex immunofluorescence staining and inflammation-related T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire profiling, ect. The molecular assay results will include but will not be limited to tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) status, DNA damage repair (DDR)-related gene mutation status, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression level. Patients will be followed-up for treatment responses until radiological confirmation of disease progression to immunotherapy-based treatment. The molecular assay results will then be analyzed with clinical data including objective responses and progression-free survival outcomes, among others, to identify molecular markers at baseline that are associated with clinical efficacy of immunotherapy-based treatment.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥18 years old;
2. histopathological evidence of FH-deficient RCC, which was confirmed by Sanger or next-generation sequencing after initial screening by IHC.
3. included patients must be diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma or have a TNM stage IV (according to 2009 TNM Classification);
4. new FH-deficient RCC patients who has scheduled to start 1st cycle of systemic treatment;
5. ECOG score ≤2;
6. life expectancy ≥ 3 months;
7. sign informed consent, and be able to follow the visit and related procedures stipulated in the program;
8. agree to collect tumor tissue, blood and other specimens required by this study and apply them to relevant studies;

Exclusion Criteria:

1. patients with other malignant tumors with different primary sites or histology from the tumor evaluated in this study within 2 years of personal history.
2. major surgery or severe trauma within 4 weeks before enrollment;
3. known or suspected active autoimmune diseases (congenital or acquired), such as interstitial pneumonia, uveitis, enteritis, hepatitis, pituitary inflammation, vasculitis, nephritis, thyroiditis, etc. Patients with type 1 diabetes with good insulin control can also be enrolled.
4. known allogeneic organ transplantation (except corneal transplantation) or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation;
5. allergic to any component of monoclonal antibody;
6. suffering from other uncontrolled serious diseases, including but not limited to: A) severe infection in the active phase or clinically poorly controlled; B) HIV infection (HIV antibody positive); C) acute or chronic active hepatitis b (HBsAg positive and HBV DNA\>1\*103/ml) or acute or chronic active hepatitis c (HCV antibody positive and HCV RNA\>15IU/ml); D) active tuberculosis, etc.;
7. class iii-iv congestive heart failure (New York heart association classification), poorly controlled and clinically significant arrhythmia;
8. uncontrolled arterial hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥160mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥100mmHg);
9. pregnant or lactating women.