Month: May 2015

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as well as other solid tumours, can prove resistant to standard cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. One mechanism likely to play a role in this resistance is activation of HIF signalling either as a result of hypoxia within the tumour or as the result of mutations as in BHD, VHL and … Read more

International Clinical Trial day (May 20th) celebrates the medical advances as a result of clinical trials. Clinical trials are essential to ensure drug safety and efficacy, and the recent increase in the development of orphan drugs has led to an increase in rare disease clinical trials. The nature of rare diseases creates specific challenges for … Read more

The BHD protein folliculin (FLCN) plays a role in numerous signalling pathways and cellular processes. Although mutations in FLCN are only firmly linked to the development of fibrofolliculomas, pulmonary cysts and renal tumours it is possible that disruption of these pathways also plays a role in other phenotypes. Recently Kapoor et al., (2015) reported three … Read more

In recent years there has been renewed interest in immunotherapies to treat of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Immunotherapies increase the body’s natural finely regulated multiple-step anti-tumour immune response (Figure 1). The balance of stimulatory and inhibitory signals (reviewed in Chen & Mellman, 2013) are important in maintaining self-tolerance and modulating normal immune responses to … Read more

Last weekend, the Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) held its 10th European International Kidney Cancer Symposium in Lyon. The meeting brought together kidney cancer specialists and researchers from around the world to discuss current and future treatments for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), and other considerations relevant to treatment. Videos of the presentations are available here. Professor … Read more