title: Sunitinib-induced complete response in metastatic renal cancer expressing neuroendocrine markers: a new predictive factor?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date, no predictive factors are recognized and applied in the therapeutic choice for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Due to significant side-effects and costs, which are relevant issues in this setting, optimization of treatments has become a priority.
  
  
  METHODS
  We herein report a case of complete remission of metastatic renal cell carcinoma after 1 year of treatment with sunitinib. Since pancreatic metastases were detected by a 68Ga-DOTA-NOC positron emission tomography, it was decided to perform a histological revision of the specimens, with immunohistochemical staining for neuroendocrine markers on the primary tumor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of the detection of neuroendocrine markers on the primary neoplasm, together with pancreatic metastases positive on a 68Ga-DOTA-NOC positron emission tomography (PET), we hypothesize and discuss about a potential role of specific neuroendocrine markers as predictive indicators of response to sunitinib (and allegedly to other target therapies) in the treatment of this neoplasm.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ca' Granda - Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy gambini.donatella@policlinico.mi.it.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gambini
authors.affiliation: Unit of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ca' Granda - Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Locatelli
authors.affiliation: Hematopathology Section, Pathology Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan School of Medicine, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gianelli
authors.affiliation: Unit of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ca' Granda - Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bareggi
authors.affiliation: Unit of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ca' Granda - Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Galassi
authors.affiliation: Unit of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ca' Granda - Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Visintin
authors.affiliation: Unit of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, IRCCS Ca' Granda - Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Massironi
authors.affiliation: Urology Unit, Clinical Surgery I, University Milan School of Medicine, IRCCS Ca' Granda - Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Dell'orto
authors.affiliation: Unit of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ca' Granda - Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomirotti
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077210:Sunitinib
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007211:Indoles; D011758:Pyrroles; D000077210:Sunitinib
keywords: Neuroendocrine markers; predictive markers; renal cell carcinoma; sunitinib