Article

Molecule may allow kidney cancer to spread

Mayo Clinic researchers say they have discovered that a molecule known as B7-H1 may serve as a "molecular armor," protecting kidney cancer by allowing it to grow and spread.

Mayo Clinic researchers say they have discovered that a molecule known as B7-H1 may serve as a “molecular armor,” protecting kidney cancer by allowing it to grow and spread. The team reported 26 cases of surgically examined metastatic renal cell carcinomas and, of these, 54% showed elevated levels of the molecule, compared with 44% of primary tumor sites with elevated levels.

The same research team had previously reported that renal cell carcinoma patients with high levels of B7-H1 in their tumors were nearly five times more likely to die from the disease. The most recent finding concerning B7-H1 suggests new therapeutic strategies, including development of a drug to block B7-H1 to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy, use of B7-H1 as a biomarker to determine prognosis, and as an aid to help physicians select the best therapy.

The study findings appear in the current online edition of Cancer.

Related Videos
Karyn S. Eilber, MD, answers a question during a Zoom video interview
Woman at doctor | Image Credit: © rocketclips - stock.adobe.com
1 expert in this video
Perry Xu, MD, answers a question during Zoom video interview
Suzanne B. Merrill, MD, FACS, answers a question during a Zoom video interview
1 expert is featured in this series.
1 expert is featured in this series.
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.