Intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) is an inherent characteristic of most tumors and its detection remains a key task for pathologists. However, the clinical significance of the degree of development of this feature is still poorly understood.
A series of 28 clear cell renal cell carcinomas (CCRCC) have been exhaustively analyzed with two different sampling protocols [multisite tumor sampling (MSTS) and total sampling] to evaluate to what point the level (low vs. high) of histological ITH detected in routine practice influences tumor behavior and patients' survival. All CCRCC (n = 14) pursuing an aggressive clinical course presented low levels of ITH. A significant worse survival was detected in CCRCC with low ITH (p < 0.001). The simple quantification of the level of ITH using extensive sampling protocol may be of help in predicting tumor evolution, since all CCRCC with aggressive behavior demonstrated low levels of histological ITH.
Current urology reports. 2022 Apr 13 [Epub ahead of print]
Claudia Manini, Estíbaliz López-Fernández, Charles H Lawrie, Annick Laruelle, Javier C Angulo, José I López
Department of Pathology, San Giovanni Bosco Hospital, 10154, Turin, Italy., FISABIO Foundation, 46020, Valencia, Spain., Molecular Oncology Group, Biodonostia Research Institute, 20014, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain., Basque Foundation for Science, IKERBASQUE, 48011, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain., Clinical Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, European University of Madrid, 28005, Madrid, Spain., Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Plaza de Cruces S/N, 48903, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain. .