title: Circulating biomarkers in advanced renal cell carcinoma: clinical applications.
abstract: Advances in understanding the biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have resulted in treatment strategies based on molecularly targeted agents that have substantially improved the outcomes of patients with metastatic RCC. Agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway and the mammalian target of rapamycin have shown efficacy in randomized clinical trials and received international approval for treating RCC. Multiple candidate biomarkers of the biologic activity of such targeted therapies as well as markers of treatment response and patients' prognosis are being evaluated to improve drug development and to identify patients who may obtain the greatest benefit from the various treatment options. This review summarizes recent developments in identifying circulating biomarkers of targeted therapies for metastatic RCC, including soluble proteins and circulating cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA. mhernandez8@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Yanez
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Heymach
authors.forename: Amado J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Zurita
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors