MOLECULAR MARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESPONSE TO THERAPY WITH EVEROLIMUS IN PATIENTS WITH RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the levels of transcription factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), serine/threonine-protein kinase (m-TOR), proteasome and calpain activities and the response to everolimus therapy in patients with disseminated renal cell carcinoma. Material and methods. The study included 18 patients with disseminated renal cell carcinoma. The expression of transcription and growth factors was studied using an immune enzymatic assay. Proteasome and calpain activities were evaluated using a fluorometric method. Results. Partial regression and stable disease were observed in 14 (78.8 %) of patients (tumor regression in 22.2 % of patients, stable disease in 56.6 % of patients). Disease progression occurred in 4 (22.2 %) of cases. The objective response to therapy with m-TOR inhibitor was observed in patients with high levels of NF-κB and HIF-1transcription factors, VEGF, VEGFR2 as well as with increased proteasome activity before treatment. Treatment response was also associated with low expression of phospho-m-TOR protein kinase. Conclusion. Additional predictive molecular markers of response to targeted therapy with evorolimus were revealed.