Scientists at the University of Michigan have discovered a way to predict which kidney cancer patients are more likely to have their cancer come back after treatment. Their research could help doctors decide who needs extra treatment and who doesn’t, making care more personalized instead of using a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Understanding Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, making up about 3–5% of all cancer cases. The most common type is called clear cell renal cancer, which accounts for about 75% of kidney cancer cases.
Right now, doctors decide how to treat this cancer based on the size of the tumor and how far the disease has spread. However, this method isn’t always perfect because some patients may receive unnecessary treatments, while others might not get the extra care they actually need.
Dr. Simpa S. Salami, a researcher and urology expert at the University of Michigan, explains why this is a problem. “We need a way to figure out who actually needs treatment and who doesn’t. That way, we don’t give extra, potentially harmful treatments to people who don’t need them.”
For example, some patients with a condition called stage pT3 disease might never have their cancer return after surgery. But since doctors can’t currently tell which patients will have a recurrence, they often recommend additional treatments just in case.
Unfortunately, these treatments can have strong side effects. A test that could sort patients into low-risk and high-risk groups would help doctors make better decisions.
A New Discovery: The 15-Gene Signature
Dr. Salami and his team have found a possible solution. They discovered a pattern of 15 genes that can predict whether a patient’s cancer is likely to come back. Even when they considered other factors—like the patient’s age or how aggressive the tumor looked under a microscope—this genetic pattern still provided an independent and reliable prediction of recurrence.
To develop this test, the researchers looked at tissue samples from 110 kidney cancer patients who had surgery. They used a technique called RNA sequencing to analyze the genetic activity in these cancer samples. After studying the data, they found a unique set of 15 genes that were strongly linked to a higher risk of cancer returning.
To make sure their results were accurate, the team tested their findings using two large independent datasets, including data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, a major research project that collects genetic information from different types of cancer. In both cases, the 15-gene signature continued to show a strong connection with cancer recurrence.
What This Means for Patients
This discovery could lead to a major improvement in how doctors monitor and treat kidney cancer patients. Right now, after kidney cancer surgery, doctors schedule regular scans to check for signs of cancer coming back.
Some patients may have more scans than necessary, while others might not be monitored closely enough. If this gene test is confirmed in future studies, it could help doctors adjust the frequency of these follow-up scans based on a patient’s individual risk.
Additionally, this test could help decide which patients need further treatment after surgery. Those with a high-risk gene signature might benefit from extra therapy to prevent recurrence, while those with a low-risk signature could avoid unnecessary treatments and their side effects.
Dr. Salami is optimistic about the future of this research. “If this test is validated in more studies, it could be used to guide treatment decisions, improve follow-up care, and make sure each patient gets the right level of monitoring and treatment,” he said.
Final Thoughts
This study is an important step forward in improving kidney cancer treatment. It shows that genetic testing could help doctors make better, more personalized decisions for their patients.
However, more research is needed before this test can be used in everyday medical practice. Scientists need to confirm these results in larger groups of patients and determine how to best use the test in real-world settings.
If this research continues to show positive results, it could mean fewer unnecessary treatments, fewer side effects, and better care for kidney cancer patients.
The research findings can be found in JCO Precision Oncology.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
